2023 Screening Recap
Quick update on the success of our 2023 Screening. As
you may know during the first few months of the year we travel to the
poorest, most remote areas of Vietnam to screen the children for surgery
(Feb-May). During the screening we evaluate and schedule the babies
for surgery or recommend other treatments. After the screening phase we
return to the same locations with a team of specialty surgeons from
Hanoi to perform the operations (May-August).
During our
screening this year we evaluated 2,223 patients. Of the 2,223 patients
evaluated 905 will soon have surgery or other treatments. People may
ask Why only 50% receive surgery?:
Many of the babies evaluated are
babies who had surgery last year as follow-up assessment is critical to
the success of the program. We need to ensure the surgery was
successful and the child is thriving. There are also conditions that
it is best to wait for body development prior to surgery. Some babies
may be underweight which increases the risk of anesthesia so it's best
for their safety to wait till they reach a weight that it is safe to
perform the procedure.
On a personal note, being able to
meet the children and families first hand was amazing and has only
inspired me to do more to support the program. The children and families
who need our help will continue to grow. I am so happy that we were
able to do our part to help. In 2022 we raised enough money to support surgery's for 100 children. With your continued support I am confident
we will be able to support 200 children in 2024. Soon I will send out
more information about 2024.
Thanks for adding me to your blog followers (Nicole Steck!)
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