Humanitarian surgery program brings "miracles" to disabled children

With the desire to help children with disabilities, malformations, congenital heart disease... return to normal activities, have the opportunity to study and play like their peers, the Provincial Children's Support Fund (BTTE) has coordinated with hospitals and social service centers to organize humanitarian surgery programs, bringing "miracles" to many children, helping them have a brighter future.

Humanitarian surgery program brings Doctors and nurses at the Social Work Service Center examine children with motor disabilities under the 2023 humanitarian surgery program.

In 2022 alone, the BTTE Fund has carried out many practical and meaningful support activities for more than 7,100 disadvantaged children in the province, with a total budget of over 4,056 million VND. In particular, it has linked up to sponsor 22 children for congenital heart surgery, 50 children for motor deformity surgery, 18 children for cleft palate surgery, etc.

Nguyen Minh Anh, born in 2013, in Thieu Long commune (Thieu Hoa), was born healthy and normal like any other child. Since he was 1 year old, a small pigmented tumor appeared on his face. Over time, the tumor gradually grew larger and darker, making him feel self-conscious and lacking confidence when interacting with people. Through the BTTE Fund, in April 2023, he was able to participate in the "Smile Surgery" program, which was examined and operated on free of charge by the 108 Military Central Hospital and Operation Smile. Ms. Trinh Thi Nu, Minh Anh's mother, shared: "We knew that my child's condition was very unsightly, but our family did not have the means to have surgery. Thanks to the program, my child had surgery to remove the melanoma. Currently, my child's health and mental state are basically stable. My family would like to thank the program and the medical team for helping my child change his appearance and become more confident in front of friends and in crowded places. I hope my child will continue to participate in the program one more time to have reconstructive surgery to remove the deformity on his face."

In the case of Bui Linh Dan, in Dien Trung commune (Ba Thuoc), although born in January 2023, he had to undergo 2 surgeries due to congenital heart disease. On April 17, the Cardiovascular Center of the National Children's Hospital continued to prescribe a third surgery for him. Being an ethnic minority, his family is not poor or near-poor, but after a long time of treatment and taking care of him in the hospital, the family was financially and mentally exhausted. They really hope to participate in the "Heart for Children" program to receive free surgery as well as support and help from benefactors.

For Nguyen Nhu Anh Tai, born in 2019, in Thieu Duy commune (Thieu Hoa), at the age of 2 he still could not sit. When his family took him to the doctor, they found out that he had an inguinal hernia and had surgery at Thanh Hoa Children's Hospital. Later, although they knew that walking was very difficult because he could only touch his toes to the ground, due to their somewhat subjective circumstances, the family did not take him for a follow-up examination. In early 2023, knowing that there was a free surgery program for children at the Social Work Service Center, Nguyen Nhu Thao's family registered for their child to participate in the program. Mr. Thao said: “After examination and consultation, the doctors concluded that my child had stiff high heels in both legs and indicated surgery. At the center, my child was taken care of by a team of dedicated doctors and nurses, provided with orthopedic devices, physical therapy, and rehabilitation completely free of charge. Currently, although he cannot walk, both feet can touch the ground.”

Pursuant to Decision No. 1500/QD-UBND dated May 10, 2021 of the Provincial People's Committee Chairman on approving the receipt of aid to implement the Project "Mobilizing resources for surgery for children with disabilities in the period of 2021-2025" funded by SAP-VN, the United States, every year the Department of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs issues documents directing and guiding districts, towns and cities in the province to review and make a list of children with motor disabilities in the area who need free examination and surgery. On that basis, the BTTE Fund is assigned to coordinate with the Center for Social Work Services to deploy free screening and surgery for children with motor disabilities, contributing to the Party Committees, authorities, sectors, unions and socio -political organizations in the province to take care of children in difficult circumstances.

As a unit under the Department of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs, with its functions and tasks, from 2022 to present, the Center for Social Work Services has coordinated with the BTTE Fund, the Department of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs of districts, towns and cities in the province to examine and consult 360 people with disabilities. Of which, orthopedic surgery was performed for 108 cases; physical therapy and rehabilitation exercises were provided for 77 cases; consultation, assembly and free provision of 46 orthopedic devices were provided.

Mr. Truong Hai Duong , Director of the Center for Social Work Services, said: Not only examination, consultation, surgery, provision of orthopedic devices, physical therapy and rehabilitation exercises are completely free, children with disabilities and deformities are also supported with food and travel expenses and are taken care of, encouraged and shared by the center's staff. After the surgery and training period, people with disabilities will gradually recover their motor functions. Many patients who have only been sitting in one place can now stand up and walk, gradually becoming active like normal people. From the above achievements, the center hopes that the Party Committees, authorities, sectors, unions, political and social organizations and all the people will continue to care, share, support and encourage so that more disabled children in society can be assisted, helping them integrate into the community and rise up in life.

Article and photos: Mai Phuong

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