Operation Smile Vietnam conducts a charitable surgical program at Thai Nguyen National Hospital, Thai Nguyen City. Photo: OSV

From June 29 – July 3, Operation Smile medical teams and SIKA Vietnam’s volunteers have travelled to Thai Nguyen National Hospital in Thai Nguyen Province, National Hospital of Odonto - Stomotology in Hanoi, Vinh International Hospital in Nghe An province and the University Medical Center in Ho Chi Minh to continue bringing smiles to the faces of children born with facial deformities. 98 lives out of 152 patients have received health evaluation.

From July 8-12, the medical mission in University Medical Center (UMC) was successfully completed with 137 patients coming to mission for screening while 110 of them were qualified for surgeries.

This mission was sponsored by Turkey Dash 6 – Give Smiles Run 2018, an annual fun and charity run organized by Transcend People Limited (TPL), Thien Nhan Association and other partners. With the purpose of supporting patients born with cleft lips and palates, Turkey Dash has significantly sponsored surgical missions of Operation Smile since 2013.

The medical mission in Hanoi was successfully conducted in National Hospital of Odonto Stomatology Hanoi from July 07 – 12 with 86 patients received health care evaluation while 65 of them received life-changing surgeries.

The medical mission to Nghe An province was successfully conducted at one of our major medical partners – Vinh International Hospital from July 13-19. After a week, 347 patients received health evaluation and medical consultations while 118 patients amongst them received life-changing surgeries.

The success of this mission was made possible by tireless effort and contribution from our major key partners – Smile For Children from Korea. Taking part with this mission was a mixed team with the persistent participation of medical volunteers from General Army Hospital 108 and Vinh International Hospital.

Also in July, with an aim to raise awareness about health and share humanitarian values to the community, Operation Smile Vietnam has collaborated with Up Beat to bring conduct a campaign called "Thousand Steps For Smiles" for children born with cleft defects.

After 2 weeks of operations, the charity walk has ended with the total amount raised was VND 7.8 million. Every step the participant made has helped to heal the beautiful smiles for the less fortunate children and above all, their kind act has lit up new hopes and dreams for them./.