Program in Vietnam Provides Surgery to Children with Birth Defects
Our new program in Vietnam that supports craniofacial surgery for children with birth defects kicked off in January this year with the arrival of the telehealth device. The operations are often life-changing for these children. They may be suffering from vision problems, speaking or eating issues, auditory difficulties, etc. These transformational surgeries often empower them to move forward living just like other kids. The number of people with birth defects in Vietnam is 10 times higher than in neighboring countries, likely due to exposure to Agent Orange (Facing the World).
We have partnered with Facing the World (FTW), a non-profit based in England that has made it their mission to repair birth defects in Vietnamese children. FTW pairs British, Canadian, and American craniofacial surgical teams with those in Vietnam. The craniofacial surgeons will share best practices with the local Vietnamese physicians on conducting complicated facial repair surgeries. Over time, the local Vietnamese physicians will gain the expertise to perform complex surgeries independently.
FTW's partnership with World Telehealth Initiative will help their surgical teams be able to continue supporting Vietnamese doctors with far less travel & expense, creating more sustainability in their programs. By working together and forming global partnerships, we can reach even more patients in need!
The hospital we are supporting, Military Hospital 108, "receives between 4,000-5,000 patients daily" (Viet Nam News). Our program will help the hospital to meet the vast surgical needs of those with birth defects in Vietnam.