Children with cleft lip receive free surgery at 6 hospitals

Children over three months old with cleft lip and palate will be examined and operated on for free by doctors at 6 hospitals in Hanoi , Nghe An, and Dak Nong in the months of June and July.

The information was announced by Associate Professor, Dr. Tran Cao Binh, Director of the Central Hospital of Odonto-Stomatology, at the launching ceremony of the month of action for patients with cleft lip and palate on May 30. Children are exempted from 100% of the cost of surgery to close the cleft lip and hospital stay, and are partially supported with travel and food expenses during the treatment period.

Accordingly, the Central Hospital of Odonto-Stomatology (Hanoi) examined and performed surgery within a week, from June 1 to 7. The child who had surgery to repair the cleft lip was also advised on post-operative treatment such as orthodontics or speech therapy to fully restore function and aesthetics.

My Thien Cosmetic Dentistry Hospital will examine on June 5; Ha Dong General Hospital will examine on June 5-6; Nghe An Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital will examine on June 28-30; Dak Nong General Hospital will examine on July 3 and National Pediatrics Hospital will examine on July 5.

"If the baby does not meet the safety conditions for surgery such as being underweight, premature, or in poor health, the doctor will advise on how to care for the baby to improve their physical strength and schedule the nearest surgery," said Mr. Binh.

A baby with cleft lip and palate is examined by a doctor at the Central Hospital of Odonto-Stomatology. Photo: Le Nga — A baby with cleft lip and palate is examined by a doctor at the Central Hospital of Odonto-Stomatology. Photo: *Le Nga*

Cleft lip and palate is a condition in which parts of the lip or roof of the mouth and nose do not fuse together during embryonic development. Every day, an average of 550 children in the world are born with birth defects. In Vietnam, an average of 3,000 children are born with birth defects each year. Of these, cleft lip and cleft palate are the most common birth defects.

Causes of malformations can be due to the mother taking the wrong medication in the early stages of pregnancy, exposure to toxic chemicals, exposure to X-rays, or catching a virus or the flu. Pregnant women who are stressed, have poor living conditions, or are malnourished during pregnancy can also cause their children to have cleft lip or cleft palate. Genetic factors or parents giving birth at an older age are also causes.

The defect makes it difficult for children to eat (suck), choke, and is susceptible to respiratory diseases, speech disorders, and psychological disorders. Cleft palate surgery helps children restore sucking, chewing, and biting functions, improves aesthetics, and facilitates future pronunciation.

Treatment of cleft lip and palate requires the coordination of many specialties such as maxillofacial surgery, orthodontics, audiology, speech and language, and pediatrics. The treatment process can last for many years, so the child needs continuous care from family and medical staff.

Every year, the Central Hospital of Odonto-Stomatology organizes many humanitarian surgeries, about 3,000 children with lip and mouth defects have had their deformities corrected.

Le Nga

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