According to SK Group on the 26th, the group collaborated with Seoul National University Bundang Hospital and Operation Smile Vietnam to organize a free surgery program for Vietnamese children with facial deformities in Quang Ngai province from the 18th to the 23rd.
This program, part of SK Group’s social contribution initiative called “Smile for Children,” has been bringing happiness to families and contributing to South Korea and Vietnam’s healthcare cooperation since 1996.
With a dedicated focus on providing facial reconstruction for children with facial deformities, “Smile for Children” has transformed the lives of 4,273 children in Vietnam over the past 27 years. To date, the program has dedicated a total of 4 billion Korean won (equivalent to over 73 billion Vietnamese dong) to support children with cleft lip and cleft palate, where early surgical intervention is especially crucial because these congenital abnormalities not only affect physical growth and respiration but also a child’s social development, including speech, appearance, and self-confidence.
The annual free surgery program for Vietnamese children with facial deformities has been expanding its reach across Vietnam, providing medical support to those in need of facial rconstruction. With successful implementation in 17 locations throughout Vietnam, the program has become a model for its commitment and sustsainability.
Beyong bringing happiness to the children and their families, the program plays a significant role in strengthening the healthcare cooperation between South Korea and Vietnam through the exchange of medical experiences between the two teams. South Korea has also generously provided innovative medical equipment and technology, encouraging and supporting Vienamese hospitals and their resources to offer postoperative care and perform local surgeries.
This year, the program was made possible by a dedicated team of 26 members from South Korea, including the chairman of Operation Smile, Professor Rong-min Baek of the Plastic Sugery Department at Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, a medical team consisting of doctors from Vietnam and South Korea, as well as members of the student voluteer committee “SK Sunny.” Together, they carried out the program for 6 days, successfully completing surgeries for 116 children in Vietnam with facial deformities.
To highlight the significance of the program, South Korea’s First Lady, Keon-hee Kim, visited 108 Military Central Hospital, the coordinating institution of the program located in Vietnam, on the 24th during her state visit to send warm encouragement and appreication to the dedicated team of doctors who support the program.
A grateful patient who received surgical support shared their heartfelt gratitude, stating, “Since the surgery, my opportunities in life has expanded and I cherish life even more. I will maintain a positive outlook and strive to better myself for my future.”
Chairman Rong-min Baek expressed his pride in witnessing the growth of children who were supported by the program, saying, “I feel joyful when these children express their gratitude to us,” as he extended a sincere thanks to all the doctors at Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, 108 Military Central Hospital, and most importantly SK group for their unwavering support through the years.
A representative from SK Group emphasized the program’s profound impact, sharing, “When we first started the program in 1996, we decided to sponsor the program despite its unrelated neature to our group’s business operations because we strongly empathized with the medical team’s purpose and the struggles faced by patients. Over time, thanks to the vision of Chairman Tae-won Chey, we have been able to sustain and expand the program without interruption,” as he expressed hopes that the invaluable experience of the program in bringing smiles and healthy lives to Vietnamese Children will foster greater collaboration between Vietnam and South Korea.
Press release distributed by EloQ Communications.