For one week in early February, the public hospital in the Kachin State capital of Myitkyina will provide free medical treatment to patients who are living with physical disabilities, hospital officials said.

The program will take place from February 3-9, and interested patients must register in advance at the hospital’s orthopedic department to receive the care.

Dr. K. Naw Awng, an orthopedic doctor at Myitkyina’s general hospital, told KNG that those eligible will typically have a disability-related to bone injury, deformity or development.

“Patients with bones bent through injuries caused by burns, or normal bent bones, or those born with deformed bones can get free surgery [to address their disability],” he explained.

A specialist from the Netherlands will lead the operating team—Dr. Willem J. Theuvenet.

According to officials from Myitkyina’s public hospital, the first free medical treatment program was launched in Myitkyina and Putao hospitals in Kachin State last year. Dr. Theuvenet participated in the program, in which he operated on dozens of people each day living with conditions including leprosy and burns.

February’s program marks the second time that free medical treatment has been offered to people in Kachin State with disabilities.

Myitkyina Hospital, Kachin State, northern Burma