Child Surgery Vietnam History

18 years of experience 

Child Surgery Vietnam (CSVN) is a foundation established in 2005 as a fundraising organization to support local aid workers in Vietnam by Jo Koster (Chairman of the Board). CSVN provides assistance to physically challenged children in Vietnam, especially congenital defects, including potential consequences of Agent Orange. In addition, also deviations caused by poor living conditions or accidents. Deviations that would be dealt with immediately in the United Sates, but where in Vietnam, especially in the countryside and poor areas, there is still a huge backlog. As a result, an annually growing number of children suffer a barely decent existence, something that is completely unnecessary if the right care can reach them. This is what Child Surgery Vietnam is committed to.

We organize, together with local partners in Vietnam, several operation projects per year. During these missions we travel with a team of surgeons from major cities (such as Hanoi) to a hospital in a remote area, where they operate on a large number of children in just a few days in collaboration with local doctors. In addition to helping the children, knowledge is also being transferred to local doctors, so that they can provide certain care themselves in the future.   Jo Koster retired from CSVN in 2022.  In 2023 Child Surgery Vietnam-USA was founded by Bob McGarry to continue CSVN fundraising activities to support more children in Vietnam.

Why do so many babies in Vietnam have birth defects?

People often ask why are there so many babies in Vietnam with birth defects?  There are a number of factors that can be contributing factors.    Genetics is one factor, the incidence of children with Cleft Lip and Palate is higher in the Asian population.  Physically challenged children with Cerebral Palsy is often associated with lack of oxygen at birth and may be attributed to the high % of babies that are born at home in the village.  In some provinces approx 75% of births take place at home with no medical supervision.   Babies with burn wounds are often attributed to accidents at home.  In the northern regions where it gets cold most families use a open fire in the home as their source of cooking and heating the home.  Unattended children can easily fall victim.   Some have concluded that another congenital factor is the potential lasting effects of Agent Orange exposure.  There is also other factors caused by poor living conditions and lack of prenatal care. Deficiency of B vitamins and folic acid in maternal diet are associated causes of cleft lip and palate in the new born.  These minerals are found in most prenatal vitamins.     

The bottom line is there continues to be a growing need for support to help the backlog of children in the poorest most remote regions of Vietnam who simple do not have access to the medical treatment they need.   I am so proud to be part of the solution working with C2 & CSVN to help them continue their mission to make a difference.