The project was jointly organised by the Hanoi-based Centre for Researching and Aiding Operation Smile (OSCA), Dak Nong provincial General Hospital, Dak Nong Health Department and the provincial Red Cross.
Correction surgery for cleft lip will be carried out on children as young as 6 months, while those for cleft palate require patients to be at least 18 months old.
After free medical checks, 59 children with cleft lip and palate deformities, who are disadvantaged ethnic children in Dak Nong, Dak Lac, Gia Lai, Kon Tum, Lam Dong, Khanh Hoa and Phu Yen provinces, will be provided free surgery.
The VND900 million (US$42,000) cost for the surgery will be funded by OSCA and some benefactors across the country.
According to Chairman of the OSCA Pham Van Ai, this is the tenth time OSCA has provided free medical check-ups and surgical operations for children in the Central Highlands provinces, and nearly 500 children children have benefitted.
The programme aims to offer disadvantaged children the chance to show a brighter smile and help them return to a normal life.
