The "Smile Train" and the China Charity Federation (CCF) announced on Tuesday that 108 Chinese hospitals are now authorized to provide free surgery to needy patients with hair lips and cleft palates.
Computers and digital cameras were also offered to these hospitals, all of which are state-run, to set up data banks for managing the patients' cases. The CCF has donated one million yuan (US$120,000) to help set up the data bank.
Zhao Nanqi, vice-chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee, and Charles B. Wang, chairman of the "Smile Train", were present at Tuesday's ceremony.
The "Smile Train", initiated in 1999 as a non-profit charity organization, aims to provide free surgery to poor people suffering from cleft palates and hair lips. It has launched the project in 37 countries and regions throughout the world.
CCF President Fan Baojun said the "Smile Train" is one of the largest charity projects in China. CCF, with support from local medical institutes, has established an expert team in charge of the supervision and evaluation of the authorized hospitals.
The CCF and the "Smile Train" began their cooperation in 1999. By the end of 2001, more than 26,000 Chinese patients had received free surgery, with donations of 67 million yuan from the "Smile Train".
(People's Day March 13, 2002)
