Children in Phu Yen receive free screenings, surgeries for facial deformity

Doctor provides checkup for a child patient (Photo: VNA)

Phu Yen (VNA) – A programme providing free screenings and operations for children with cleft lip, cleft palate was held at the General Hospital of the central coastal province of Phu Yen from June 22-26.

It was organised by the 108 Military Hospital of the Ministry of Defence, doctors and volunteers from the Operation Smile organisation of the Republic of Korea and the provincial Department of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs.

Many children in Phu Yen as well as neighbouring provinces of Khanh Hoa, Binh Dinh and Dak Lak received medical checkups at the programme, the first of its kind held in Phu Yen province.

After medical checkups and screenings, 100 children will receive free surgeries and treatment. The programme also supports travelling and accommodation fees for the patients.

Nearly 300 children in Phu Yen with cleft lip and cleft palate have received medical checkups since 2008, and among them, 200 received free surgeries sponsored by donors found by the provincial Fund for Children.

Some 2,000 babies are born with cleft lip and cleft palate every year in Vietnam.
 
Since 1994, the National Fund for Vietnamese Children (NFVC) has run the Operation Smile programme to provide cleft lip and cleft palate surgeries for children. To date, nearly 30,000 children have benefited from the programme.
 
The NFVC has also mobilised resources to provide post-surgery assistance for children, thus helping them practice pronunciation and integrate into the community.-VNA