Free Operation for Handicapped Ethnic Children

Doctors from the Hanoi Medical University, Saint Paul Hospital, Viet-Tiep Hospital, National Institute of Burns, National Institute of Ophthalmology and the National Hospital of Odonto-Stomatology are providing free voluntary treatment to more than 100 handicapped children and teenagers of poor ethnic minority families in the northern mountainous province of Ha Giang from June 20-25. Medics of the Second Holand Center are transferring medical technology to their Vietnamese counterparts, according to Dr. Tong Khanh Hai, Director of Ha Giang Relief Association for Handicapped Children. The Second Holand Center will also cover fees for surgeries. This voluntary project is aimed at improving local medical competence and also aiding handicapped children, thus saving travel and operation expenses. Children will also receive support for travel and food expenses. On this occasion, leaders of the Ha Giang People’s Committee and members of the Fund for Vietnamese Children gave away gifts to the young patients. Ha Giang is one of the provinces with the highest rate of handicapped children in the country, most of who are from ethnic minority groups living in remote and border crossing areas. (saigon-gpdaily.com.vn June24)