Phu Yen (VNA) - More than 200 children are receiving free-of-charge cleft lip andpalate jaw examinations in the south central province of Phu Yen.

The children are from southcentral and Central Highlands provinces. The programme, which lastsfrom September 9-11, was conducted by 40 doctors from the Ho Chi Minh CityNational Hospital of Odonto-Stomatology, the Hanoi National Hospital ofOdonto-Stomatology and the Vietnam-Cuba Friendship Hospital.

After examining the childrenand consulting with their families, the doctors will choose the kids most inneed and conduct free-of-charge surgery.

The children receivingsurgery must be at least six months old and weigh at least eight kilogrammes.

The Operation SmileOrganisation and the Vietnam Sika sponsor the programme.

Doctor Le Trung Nghia,head of the medical team, said to prevent defects, women must keep healthyduring pregnancy and avoid stress and hard work.

Phan Dinh Phung, Vice Chairmanof the People’s Committee of Phu Yen province, said the programme wasespecially helpful for poor families.

Phung express his hopethat the programme would continue to be carried out in Phu Yen and neighbouringprovinces.

He expected the doctorswould transfer surgery technology to local doctors so that they can conductsurgeries for children themselves.-VNA