On the morning of June 1st, while many young children celebrated International Children's Day with trips or favorite gifts, hundreds of pediatric patients and their families were present at Central Military Hospital 108 with the desire to receive free examination and treatment to have the opportunity to find their full smile again.
The humanitarian surgery program "Ngay hoi nu cuoi" 2026 organized by the Center for Neurosurgery and Plastic Surgery, Central Military Hospital 108 in coordination with Operation Smile Vietnam and the international expert team Operation Restore Hope has attracted nearly 300 patients and their relatives to participate in screening, with the desire to be treated to open up a brighter future.
Participants in the program include patients with congenital cleft lip from 6 months old; congenital cleft cleft palate without surgery from 12 months old; patients with sequelae of cleft lip - cleft palate such as lip scars, nasal defects, palate septum, palate septum...; children with congenital drooping eyelids not belonging to ophthalmic pathology.
From early morning, the screening area was crowded with pediatric patients and their families. Many families traveled hundreds of kilometers from provinces and cities to bring their children to participate in the program.
While waiting for examination, small gifts, funny balloons and the care of doctors and volunteers brought joy to the children. The care and encouragement of doctors and the warm atmosphere of the program partly helped dispel the worries of many parents and bring joy to the children.
Behind each pediatric patient are private stories and the expectations of the whole family. For many parents, what they expect most is not only a successful surgery but also the day their children can confidently communicate and integrate with friends and the community.
For many young children present at Central Military Hospital 108 on International Children's Day this year, the most meaningful gift is not toys or trips, but the opportunity to treat disabilities, change their appearance and have more faith in the future.
It is expected that the surgeries will be performed from June 2 to June 5, 2026 at the Center for Crane and Face Surgery and Plastic Surgery, Central Military Hospital 108.
