A child with cleft lip receives blood test by nurses. Photo: Zaw Gyi (Panita)
Under the Eight-Day Cleft Free Myanmar Initiative jointly conducted by Smile Asia and the Kanbawza’s Bright Future Myanmar Foundation (BFM), more than 170 children with cleft lips and palates will undergo free surgery.
Medical experts from Yangon General Hospital and Smile Asia will carry out cleft lip and palate surgeries to the children from different areas of Myanmar from 14 to 21 August under the initiative.
The Eight-Day Cleft Free Myanmar Initiative ceremony was launched at Yangon General Hospital yesterday with addresses by the Superintendent of the Hospital Dr Aye Ko Ko, Founder of Smile Mr Vincent Yeow, Ambassador of Singapore to Myanmar Mr Robert Chua and Chairperson of the BFM Daw Nang Lang Kham.
Following the ceremony, more than 170 children received medical check-ups and blood tests in preparation for their upcoming surgeries provided by doctors from Yangon General Hospital and Smile Asia, members of the BFM and volunteers.
All costs, including accommodation and other expenses of the children will be sponsored by KBZ’s Brighter Future Myanmar Foundation.
Since its establishment in 2008, when Cyclone Nargis ravaged Myanmar, the philanthropic foundation has carried out social welfare activities nationwide, adopting five tasks for corporate social responsibility and spending more than K170 billion nationwide. — Thiha Tun