Staffs of the Chevrolet division of General Motors Viet Nam provide information for people to register free surgeries of cleft lips and palates. — Photo courtesy of GM Viet Nam

HCM CITY (Biz Hub) — Seventy children with cleft lips and palates will undergo surgeries, which will be funded by the Chevrolet division of General Motors Viet Nam, in co-operation with Operation Smile Viet Nam.

The US car manufacturer is also taking care of the children's transport and accommodation expenses. The surgeries are being conducted from November 5 to 11. This is the third time that GM Viet Nam has provided funds to Operation Smile Viet Nam for the surgeries.

"GM Viet Nam is committed to contributing and improving people's lives in places we are based in," said Nguyen Van Quy, the company's public relations and communication director.

It is estimated that one out of 700 newborns in the world have cleft lips and palates. Viet Nam has among the highest rate of children with this disorder. Every year, around 3,000 children are born in the country with this birth defect, while around 10,000 children remain untreated, not undergoing any corrective surgeries. These are children mostly from poor families.

Nguyen Viet Phuong, country director of Operation Smile Viet Nam, said over the past 27 years, they have conducted more than 26,000 free surgeries for children.

GM Viet Nam has been actively participating in charitable social activities for community development for several years now. — VNS