The free surgical programme in March provided medical checks and treatment for about 129 patients from many different provinces and cities, most of them from underprivileged families. — VNS Photo

A free surgical programme for children with facial deformities is being organised at the HCM City Medical University Hospital.

The surgeries are organised by Operation Smile and funded by sponsors, including LOTTE Mart, which donated VND200 million (US$8,810) to the programme in March.

Attending the inauguration of the programme on March 24 in HCM City were Miss Huong Giang of Operation Smile, Nguyen To Kieu Trinh of LOTTE Mart, Alex Christopher Falter of the British Business Group Vietnam, Justin Roger Malcom of “Run To Give 2017", doctors and children’s families.

The programme provided medical checks and treatment for 129 patients from many various provinces and cities like Dak Lak, An Giang, Tien Giang, Dong Nai, Can Tho, Binh Dinh, and Phu Yen, most of them from underprivileged families.

Nguyen To Kieu Trinh, director of LOTTE Mart Vietnam, pledges to support Operation Smile in providing free surgeries for children with lip deformities. — VNS Photo

To be eligible for the free surgery for cleft lips, the children had to be at least six months old and weigh at least 8kg. Those with a cleft palate had to be at least 18 months old and weigh 10kg or more.

Besides, they had to have no congenital conditions like heart disease, epilepsy, or neurological disease and not be sick with fever or inflammation at the time of the screening.

Besides free medical examination and treatment, patients’ families also get a partial subsidy of their transportation and board and lodging costs during the time the children are in the hospital.

The programme had received 129 applications. After screening tests 100 eligible patients were selected for the surgery to be done at the HCM City Medical University Hospital from March 26 to 30.

From March 26 to 30 doctors at the Medical University Hospital in HCM City will perform surgeries to cure lip deformities in children. — VNS Photo

Speaking at the inaugural ceremony, Nguyen To Kieu Trinh, director of LOTTE Mart Vietnam, said co-operating with Operation Smile was an “honour” for his company.

“Through this connection, LOTTE Mart expects Operation Smile in particular and community organisations in general to keep developing and bring happiness to people in difficult situations, and LOTTE Mart is committed to always assisting these meaningful programmes."

Last December a memorandum of understanding was signed between Operation Smile and LOTTE Mart for funding surgeries for 40 children with lip deformities at the HCM City Medical University Hospital and for the purpose the latter donated VND200 million (US$8,810) to Operation Smile.

This is the third time that LOTTE Mart is sponsoring Operation Smile in an effort to bring smiles to children’s faces and help them feel more confident in life.

Last December LOTTE Mart Viet Nam signed an MoU with Operation Smile for donating VND200 million to perform free surgeries for children with lip deformities. — VNS Photo

Besides the action plan to bring smiles to disadvantaged children, LOTTE Mart has also undertaken other community programmes, especially through the Choice L Foundation Fund.

Since being established, the fund has undertaken many meaningful programmes, including awarding scholarships to 48 outstanding students, giving useful gifts to poor people and organising art programmes for children and a “Dream tour” for disabled and other disadvantaged children.

It has also donated more than 9,000 kilogrammes of rice to charity establishments in Khanh Hoa Province and gifts to 650 poor people on the occasion of the Vu Lan festival, and donated relief materials to people in Khanh Hoa and Phu Yen, who were badly affected by Storm No.12.

Most recently it helped farmers who faced difficulties in selling their white radish.