In its 16 years of implementing humanitarian surgical programmes in Viet Nam, the German DEVIEMED organisation has provided free surgery and medical treatment for over 3,200 children with a cleft lip and palate. 

This figure was revealed at a ceremony yesterday to launch a cleft lip and palate surgical project and to receive financial aid from the DEVIEMED organisation.  The event was organised by the Da Nang Orthopaedic and Rehabilitation Hospital.

The project is being implemented in Da Nang between 2011 and 2015 at a cost of around 200,000 USD.  To date, more than 300 local children with a cleft lip and palate have been given free surgery.  From now until 2015, the project will bring benefits to hundreds more poor patients.  In addition, DEVIEMED has also provided advanced treatment equipment and specialised training courses for the medical workers at the Orthopaedic and Rehabilitation Hospital.  The equipment includes anaesthesia machines and medical instrument drying ovens totalling close to 100,000 Euros.