Continue spreading the journey of love of the program "Thien Nhan and friends"

After 15 years of persistence, the humanitarian surgery program “Thien Nhan and Friends” continues to write a miraculous journey of resuscitation for thousands of Vietnamese children with congenital genital malformations. From October 28 to November 22, 2025, the program organized the 19th Surgery Session in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang, with the participation of doctors and nurses from Italy, England, America, Türkiye and a team of Vietnamese experts.

Initiated in 2011 by Mr. Greig Craft - Chairman of AIP Foundation, Ms. Tran Mai Anh and Professor, Doctor Roberto De Castro (Italy), the program is named after baby Thien Nhan - a child who suffered severe trauma but miraculously recovered thanks to love and modern medicine. From a personal journey, "Thien Nhan and friends" has become an international charity network helping thousands of Vietnamese children receive free surgery, consultation and treatment.

To date, the program has examined and operated on more than a thousand children across the country, supporting dozens of complicated cases at major hospitals such as Viet Duc Friendship Hospital, National Children's Hospital, Children's Hospital 2 and Da Nang Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital. In addition to professional activities, the program also organizes seminars and exchanges of experiences between Vietnamese and international doctors, and sends Vietnamese doctors to study at leading medical centers in Europe, contributing to improving the capacity of the medical industry in the field of reconstructive surgery.

According to the plan, this year's surgery will take place in Hanoi from October 28 to November 9 at Viet Duc Friendship Hospital and the National Children's Hospital; in Ho Chi Minh City from November 9 to November 15 at Children's Hospital 2; in Da Nang from November 15 to November 22 at the Da Nang Maternity and Children's Hospital.

The cases of malformations that are accepted for treatment include: congenital absence of genital organs, low urethra, exposed bladder, hypoplastic vagina or penis, complex malformations due to trauma or post-surgical complications. The child's medical records can be sent to the program via email: [email protected] or address 12B Ngoc Khanh, Dong Da district, Hanoi.

Italian Ambassador to Vietnam Marco della Seta presents the Order of Merit of the Government of the Italian Republic to Mr. Greig Craft (right). Photo: Embassy

Throughout that journey, Mr. Greig Craft - the "godfather" of Thien Nhan - has always been a symbol of compassion and international solidarity. He has not only accompanied the program from the very beginning, but also contributed to building a bridge between Vietnamese medicine and Italian experts. With his continuous contributions over more than three decades, he has just been awarded the Order of Merit by the Government of the Italian Republic, a noble award for individuals with outstanding contributions in the humanitarian and social fields. Directly presenting the Order of Merit to Mr. Greig Craft, Italian Ambassador to Vietnam Marco della Seta affirmed: "Mr. Greig Craft is not only a great friend of Vietnam and Italy, but also a symbol of the connection between medicine, compassion and international friendship".

The smiles after each successful surgery and the miraculous journeys of recovery of the children are the greatest rewards for the founders and the team of doctors in the program, affirming that the "friends" have and will continue to write together the humanitarian story called "Thien Nhan and Friends"./.

Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/tiep-tuc-lan-toa-hanh-trinh-yeu-thuong-cua-chuong-trinh-thien-nhan-va-nhung-nguoi-ban-722366.html