Mission Update: Hue
Hue, Vietnam
The second day of surgeries on Sunday, November 11, brought new smiles to 28 children who received free reconstructive surgery at the Center by Operation Smile volunteers. This brings the total number of patients treated during this medical mission to 53 children. Howard Unger, Operation Smile Board of Directors Chairman, visited the hospital and met with patients and their families. Dr. Nguyen Dung, Director of the Health Service of Thua Thien Hue Province, also visited the mission. It is muggy in the Center and outside the heavy rain continues.
On Monday, November 12, the mission team awoke to downpours and many of the streets in Hue flooded. This is the third day of heavy rains, and the local river has flooded its banks. Surgeries were postponed, but the team went to the Center to care for those in the Post-Op Ward who received surgery yesterday. Other families are seeking shelter at the Center while they wait for their children to receive surgery. The parents of the children who have received surgery are grateful and happy that their children will now have normal lives. The streets have become almost impossible to travel by van or taxi. Patients that were to receive surgery today are expected to receive them tomorrow. Faced with challenges, the Operation Smile mission team is working together for a common goal.
- Amy Kelly and Lisa Jones, Operation Smile, Inc. staff