May 21, 2011
From May 9 to May 21, four groups of doctors from Seoul National University Bundan Hospital (South Korea) performed a series of charitable surgeries on patients in need of urgent surgical interference from low-income families in Tashkent. The forty-five professionals did 30 surgeries to remove mouth defects, 10 heart surgeries and 12 orthopedic surgeries and provided dental treatment for over 400 people under Family Health Project overseen by the Fund Forum, the Ministry of Health of Uzbekistan, the Women`s Council, and “In the Name of Life” National Breast Cancer Association.
From May 9 to 14, a team of cardiologists and orthopedists, under the guidance of Professor Jeong Sang Hun of Bundan Hospital, gave medical check-ups and performed a series of surgeries in Tashkent. The Korean professionals operated on patients with congenital heart disease and musculoskeletal disorders at the Research Center for Emergency Medicine and the clinic of Tashkent Pediatric Medical Шnstitute.
From May 15 to 21, a group of jaw and face surgeons performed several complex operations to remove congenital face deformities (cleft lip and cleft palate) at Tashkent Medical Academy and Dental Clinic No5, with preliminary examinations carried out by Professor Choi Gin Young, Professor So Gwang Souk and dentist Lee Sang Hun. Notably, the professionals brought all the medical supplies, equipment and medication they used during the campaign from South Korea.
High-caliber specialists from Seoul National University have been collaborating with Uzbek doctors since 2009. Thus far, they have performed 46 surgeries for congenital heart disease, six children with heart disease were sent to Korea for treatment, and medical examinations and consultations have been given by Korean specialists.
The Family Health Project was launched in 2009 by the Women`s Council in cooperation with partners. The project has seen Israeli, German, Russian, American and Turkish specialists come to Uzbekistan and provide free medical consultation and lead training sessions for Uzbek medics. As many as 1,500 patients have been examined free of charge and over 250 local specialists have had the opportunity to participate in training sessions.
Participation by foreign doctors in the social campaign is indicative of the thriving international collaboration in healthcare between the Women`s Council and medical clinics abroad. There are also plans afoot to involve more countries in the project and attract leading health centers throughout the world in an effort to boost Uzbek professionals` skills and to support local medicine and healthcare services in Uzbekistan.
Related links
Children`s healthcare facility reconstructed