VietNamNet Bridge – Five children from the central province of Quang Ngai were operated on for free in Seoul today to treat cleft lips and palates by doctors at the Chung Ang University Hospital (CAUH).


HTML clipboard South Korean doctors make operation on a child patient. - Coutersy Photo Doosan Vina
The children, aged between six months and 13 years, are from poor families in the province, and have suffered from the deformity since birth.


"These cases were really serious but the operations have gone very well," said Seong Deok Kim, general director of CAUH. "We will keep the children and families here for seven days to monitor their conditions to make sure that everything is allright."


CAUH has pledged to provide medicine and medical services for the children until they have recovered from the surgery.

The total cost of the surgical procedures and the trip for the five children and their families was US$55,000, donated by the Quang Ngai province-based Doosan Vina, Doosan Heavy Industries and CAUH.


Do Thi Anh Tuyet, mother of 13-year-old patient Tran Manh Trung, said that: "I hope that the surgery will help my son to have a normal life. I have stayed at home and cared for him for 12 years, I can't earn money. My husband is sad and tired, and he's become addicted to alcohol."


Ngo Thi Thanh, mother of seven month baby Nguyen Thanh Quan, said: "I'm very happy now. I hope that my baby will be able to eat and smile like other babies."


The families of the other children shared the same sentiments, hoping for normal lives for their children and themselves.

The children were chosen following research by Doosan Vina in conjunction with the district's People's Committee to identify cleft lip and palate patients. Straight forward cases were operated on in the province, but the five children required expert attention from overseas to ensure the procedures were successful.


Last February, four children from Quang Ngai Province suffering from cleft lips and palates were operated on successfully at CAUH.


Cleft lip (cheiloschisis) and cleft palate (palatoschisis) are variations of a type of clefting congenital deformity by abnormal facial development during gestation. A cleft is a fissure or opening – a gap. It is the non-fusion of the body's natural structures that form before birth.


In July this year, CAUH will send 15 doctors and medical support staff to Quang Ngai Province for seven days to provide medial treatment for high-blood pressure patients and dental services for citizens in the province.


CAUH, a subsidiary of Doosan Group, is famous for corrective surgery in South Korea. The hospital and the Quang Ngai People's Committee have co-operated in medical and healthcare services since 2009.


VietNamNet/Viet Nam News