At the beginning of June, hundreds of disabled children from various localities in the province were brought to the Điện Biên General Hospital by their families for free screening and surgery. Although they had to travel long distances from Tủa Chùa district, for Lò Thị Tin and her child, it was a stroke of luck. Having the opportunity for free medical consultation and surgery was a happiness her child could now experience.

Tin shared: “My child has had droopy eyelids since childhood. Thanks to participating in this program, my child has received free surgery. This is a dream and happiness for our whole family. We are grateful to the benefactors and doctors for caring for and treating my child. This is a meaningful program that has helped and brought hope to many children in difficult circumstances.”

Visiting the newly operated patients who were being cared for and recovering at the Điện Biên General Hospital, we felt joy along with the joy of the children and their families. Although the wound on Lầu Thị Nà, born in 2019, is still bandaged, her smile makes her mother, Mùa Thị Đớ (from Mường Nhé district), forget all her exhaustion. “My child has had burns since she was 1 year old, so she always felt ashamed and didn’t play with her peers. Our family is so happy because she received free surgery from doctors and specialists from the Central hospitals and the Điện Biên General Hospital. Now, my child can confidently play with friends,” shared Đớ.

Similarly, Lò Thị Sen, from Noong Bua ward (Điện Biên Phủ city), views the program as a “miracle” for her family. Her child had inguinal hernia since birth, but due to the family’s difficult financial situation, they couldn’t afford treatment. After surgery, seeing her child recover well, Sen couldn’t help but feel joyful and emotional with a bright smile.

The free screening and surgery program for children with disabilities is organized by the Điện Biên provincial Department of Health, provincial Sponsorship Fund, Điện Biên General Hospital, in collaboration with Center II, the Vietnam Relief Association for Disabled Children, and the Thiện Tâm Fund of Vingroup. Since the program’s inception in Điện Biên, more than 1,300 children with various disabilities have been screened. Of these, 627 children underwent successful surgeries, 27 children received procedures, and 19 were transferred to other medical facilities for treatment; hundreds of children received rehabilitation tools and home treatment consultations. Just in 2025, over 240 children have been prescribed surgery or received rehabilitation tools. These surgeries are performed by leading specialists from central hospitals, including the Central Eye Hospital, Vietnam - Germany Friendship Hospital, Xanh Pôn Hospital, Vinh Orthopedic and Rehabilitation Center in Nghệ An, and Điện Biên General Hospital.

This program has truly provided children with disabilities from disadvantaged backgrounds the opportunity to have surgeries to correct their physical impairments, allowing them to grow and develop just like other children in society.

Dr. Phạm Thị Minh Châu, Deputy Head of the Pediatric Ophthalmology Department at the Central Eye Hospital, shared: “I am very honored to accompany Center II and the Ministry of Health’s Sponsorship Fund in this meaningful and humanitarian program. The happy smiles of the children and their parents motivate us to continue performing more humanitarian surgeries, offering disabled children a chance to live a normal life and integrate with their peers.”

Điện Biên currently has around 5,500 children with disabilities, including those with congenital conditions, mobility, vision, hearing, and intellectual impairments. Most of these children’s families are financially struggling and cannot access high-quality medical services, meaning these children often miss the opportunity to be examined, treated, or receive timely medical intervention for their conditions. Therefore, the free screening and surgery program has provided an opportunity for these families to receive medical care in their own locality.

Nguyễn Trọng Đại, Deputy Director of Center II, the Vietnam Relief Association for Disabled Children, stated: “We have always considered Điện Biên a top priority for this program, both now and in the future. Our goal is to help children with disabilities in Điện Biên access community-based protection, care, and education services. Through the program, we also aim to create opportunities for hospital staff to learn, exchange experiences, and enhance their expertise so that they can perform more complex specialized techniques. At the same time, we hope to help disabled children integrate into life, opening a new chapter in their lives. This contributes to building a healthy and compassionate community, ensuring no one is left behind.”