Liu Minxia

    mllmx@msn.com

    THE University of Hong Kong Shenzhen Hospital, with the help of various foundations, opened registration yesterday for free cleft lip surgery for eligible children.

    “We are planning to help 40 children [suffering the defects], but we can make it more than that number if we receive more applications than we expected,” said Joe K. M. Fan, a consultant with the hospital’s surgery department, yesterday.

    The hospital along with Hangzhou’s Smiling Angel Public Welfare Service Center, the Royal Club of Hong Kong Northwest and the Tencent Foundation are working together to provide the treatment.

    There are no hukou requirements or financial requirements to receive free treatment, according to Fan.

    Doctors say that younger children will have a better recovery from the surgery.

    One out of every 600 newborn babies was born with cleft lips or palates in China and many poor families can’t afford the surgery, which costs 9,000 yuan (US$1,452) at the University of Hong Kong Shenzhen Hospital.

    “We are not doing this for the reputation of the hospital. We do it to help the needy. And we promise to offer them the best medical service available in China,” Fan said.

    The application period for the free surgery lasts until May 30.

    Babies with single cleft lip need to be older than 4 months and weigh more than 8 kilograms, babies with double cleft lips need to be older than 8 months and weigh more than 10 kilograms. Babies with cleft palates need to be older than 12 months and weigh more than 10 kilograms.

    Anyone interested can schedule a consultation at (0755) 8691-3333 ext. 2932, or 183-0755-6282, or email surgery@hku.szh.org.

    The hospital will screen the applicants June 5 to select those eligible for surgery, which will take place in the hospital from June 6 to 8.