02/07/2020

Operation Smile Vietnam has resumed charitable activities with full government approvals and COVID-19 safety standards firmly in place. Medical teams in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City have been able to perform surgeries to treat children suffering from cleft lip and cleft palate conditions. Operation Smile is also supporting its local hospital partners in 35 countries around the world with donations of medical supplies, protective gear and equipment.

 Cleft surgery has been a gateway for Operation Smile to work with governments and local partners to deliver safe surgery, medical care, training and education.

The organization's trusted supply channels and expert level of medical professionalism are being called to support the front lines, where thousands of Operation Smile medical volunteers are being put to the test in their own hospitals. And yet, babies are still being born with clefts every day. Cleft deformities affect eating, breathing, nutrition and speech for individuals who suffer, often resulting in life-threatening health complications.

With a short, 45-minute surgery, the patients of Operation Smile are changed forever. Sika has been supporting Operation Smile as a long-term partner. The pictures below refer to the screening of 140-150 patients and to provision of free surgery to 100 patients during each mission. 

Sika Thailand is supporting the local Operation Smile foundation as well.