Over 2,000 children with cleft lips and palates at Children’s Hospital 1in Ho Chi Minh City have received free surgery funded by Smile Train,a US non-governmental organisation, over the past five years.

Cleft lips and palates are facial and oral malformations that occurvery early in pregnancy, while the baby is developing inside the mother.Clefting results when there is not enough tissue in the mouth or liparea, and the tissue that is available does not join together properly.

Most scientists believe that clefts are due to a combinationof genetic and environmental factors. Another potential cause may berelated to the medication a mother has taken during her pregnancy.

Statistics reveal that the malformations affect one in 1,000 babies in Asia and one in 700 in Vietnam.

Over the past five years, the US organisation has helpedChildren’s Hospital 1 conduct about six surgeries for children withcleft lips and palates each day.

The programme has also targeted hospitals in the southern province of Dong Nai and the central city of Da Nang.

Dr. Tang Chi Thuong, Deputy Director of the HCM City Department ofHealth, expressed his hope that the programme will come to remote andfar-flung areas as well as those in difficulties to bring smiles tounlucky children.

The HCM City-based hospital has alsoopened a club named “Children’s smiles” which serves as a bridge fordoctors and families of children with the condition.-VNA