Crumlin Children's Hospital Specialists save children's lives in Vietnam
03 May 2005

A team of top medical and nursing specialists at Our Lady?s Hospital for Sick Children Crumlin will travel to Hospital 2 in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam in May to perform specialised surgery on sick children with complex paediatric surgical conditions. A reception to mark the occasion was held at the hospital today Tuesday 3^rd May 2005 at 1pm.

The initiative was sparked by Christina Noble, Chairperson of the Christina Noble Children's Foundation, who thanked the surgical team for giving their time and expertise and praised the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland for their involvement in this project and for their ongoing support.

"RCSI and the hospital have sponsored the medical and nursing team who have voluntarily offered to perform specialist surgery on very ill children who otherwise would not have access to such treatment," said Gerry O'Dwyer, Chief Executive of Our Lady's Hospital.  "Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children continues to play an important role in the education and improvement of children's health both nationally and abroad".

The hospital team includes;

• Professor Martin Corbally, Consultant Paediatric Surgeon,
• Dr Brendan O'Hare, Consultant Anaesthetist,
• Roisin Cleary, Clinical Nurse Manager,
• Frances Halligan,  Clinical Nurse Specialist.

Professor Martin Corbally, one of those going to Vietnam next month, commented that this is the second time staff from Crumlin have travelled to Hospital 2 in Ho Chi Minh City. 

"The hospital and RCSI are allowing us to make a significant contribution to the health of these children," said Professor Corbally. "This marks the continued collaboration between the various health agencies which we will continue in an education, training and clinical environment."

The children who will be treated suffer from of range of complex paediatric conditions including bowel disorders.  Treatment will include surgery performed in conjunction with paediatric surgeons in the hospital in Vietnam.

"We are delighted to sponsor the team again as part of our continuing alliance with the Christina Noble Children's Foundation. We are also very grateful to our clinical colleagues for their enthusiasm to undertake these difficult but worthwhile projects.  The RCSI will continue to support and contribute to the work of the Foundation," said Michael Horgan, Chief Executive of RCSI.

The Christina Noble Children's Foundation is an International Partnership of people dedicated to serving children in need of emergency and long-term medical care, nutritional rehabilitation, educational opportunities, vocational training, job placement and the protection of children at risk of economic and sexual exploitation. The Foundation seeks to maximize the potential of each child within the context of the family and community while respecting the dignity of each child as an individual.