With the launch of a new initiative, cleft lip children from poor families in Hainan province are now able to enjoy a free treatment and recovery service.
The initiative, which is called "The Reborn Action-Plan for the Surgery and Recovery of Poor Cleft Clip Children in China", is a major charity program involving a total investment of CNY100 million that is sponsored by the Li Ka Shing Foundation and China's Ministry of Civil Affairs.
Through the program, cleft lip patients from economically underprivileged families will not only receive free checkups and surgery, but also food, accommodation and transportation subsidies for both the patient and a parent or guardian.
So far, more than 100 cleft lip patients in Hainan have passed a review from the local civil affairs department and four of them are going to receive surgery at Hainan Provincial People's Hospital.
Since the program was launched in April 2008, 22 hospitals across China have joined and more than 7,000 patients have benefited from it.
