HCM CITY — FV Hospital plans to resume its charity fund called Children of Việt Nam.

The hospital said that it would donate US$1 received from each healthcare check-in case to the fund.

Nguyễn Thị Lệ Thu, the fund’s director, said that each year FV Hospital welcomes 200,000 patients, so they expect to raise at least around VNĐ5 billion (US$220,000) each year.

This money can be used to help 150-200 children.

The Children of Việt Nam Fund is a charity dedicated to the treatment of underprivileged children under 16 years old who suffer from severe conditions that can be cured or improved by surgery.

The fund was established by FV Hospital and Thanh Niên (Young People) newspaper in 2006.

Since its establishment, the fund has raised over VNĐ10 billion and has assisted 200 children.

According to Thu, this year the hospital has invited Dr Stephane Guero with 20 years of experience to perform hand operations on children.

From May 9 to 11, Guero operated on eight children with hand disorders from Long An and Đồng Nai provinces, HCM City, and Ninh Thuận, Khánh Hoà and Hà Tĩnh provinces.

Children from anywhere in the country can apply to have support from the fund through introductions from non-government organisations, local authorities, individuals, doctors and local hospitals, among others.

The children will then be checked at FV hospital or at a local hospital. They will then be sent to FV Hospital for further checks and operations.

According to the World Health Organisation, about 10 million children worldwide live with disabilities. In Việt Nam, the figure is about 1.5 million. — VNS