GM Việt Nam funds surgeries for 70 children

November 08, 2016 - 15:40

Seventy children with cleft lips and palates will undergo surgeries, which will be funded by the Chevrolet division of General Motors Việt Nam, in co-operation with Operation Smile Việt Nam.

Staffs of the Chevrolet division of General Motors Việt Nam provide information for people to register free surgeries of cleft lips and palates. - Photo courtesy of GM Việt Nam
Viet Nam News

HCM CITY — Seventy children with cleft lips and palates will undergo surgeries, which will be funded by the Chevrolet division of General Motors Việt Nam, in co-operation with Operation Smile Việt Nam.

The US car manufacturer is also taking care of the children’s transport and accommodation expenses. The surgeries are being conducted from November 5 to 11. This is the third time that GM Việt Nam has provided funds to Operation Smile Việt Nam for the surgeries.

“GM Việt Nam is committed to contributing and improving people’s lives in places we are based in,” said Nguyễn Văn Quý, the company’s public relations and communication director. 

It is estimated that one out of 700 newborns in the world have cleft lips and palates. Việt Nam has among the highest rate of children with this disorder. Every year, around 3,000 children are born in the country with this birth defect, while around 10,000 children remain untreated, not undergoing any corrective surgeries. These are children mostly from poor families. 

Nguyễn Việt Phương, country director of Operation Smile Việt Nam, said over the past 27 years, they have conducted more than 26,000 free surgeries for children.

GM Việt Nam has been actively participating in charitable social activities for community development for several years now. — VNS

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