Make my heart healthy again

(QBĐT) - Over the past 14 years, the Provincial Association for the Support of Poor Patients (PAP) has connected with organizations, units, philanthropists... to support 738 PPA patients in the province with free surgery. Thanks to that help, many people (mostly children) with congenital heart disease (CHD) have become healthy, able to go to school, and play like other children...

In order to contribute to helping the less fortunate families with members suffering from heart disease, recently, the Provincial Association of Heart Disease Prevention and Control has become a bridge of love, implementing the program "Supporting heart surgery costs" to call for the cooperation of organizations, individuals, and philanthropists for children with TBS in poor households.

Chairwoman of the Provincial Association for the Prevention of Cerebral Palsy Nguyen Thi Thanh Huong said: “Many organizations and individuals have supported the province in screening and providing free heart surgery for children with cerebral palsy. Over the past 14 years, the province has had 738 cases of cerebral palsy receiving surgery support with a cost of nearly 22 billion VND. Many of these cases are children of poor households, ethnic minorities, and those living in remote areas. These patients are operated on by a team of highly specialized doctors, supported by the Association for the Prevention of Cerebral Palsy with procedures, and 100% of the surgery costs are paid after health insurance (HI) covers them.”

Many children in the province receive free heart check-ups.

Duong Duc Xuan Truong (born in 2019), in Dong Trach commune (Bo Trach) is one of hundreds of children in the province suffering from TBS. Not only that, he also suffered from esophageal atresia, so he had to undergo esophageal atresia surgery immediately after birth. When he was 2 years old, his family took him to Hoan My Hospital (Da Nang) for examination and the doctor told him that Truong's TBS was getting worse and needed immediate surgery. The estimated cost of the surgery is 129 million VND, of which 25 million VND will be paid by health insurance, and the remaining 104 million VND will be paid by the family. Since Truong was born, he has been sick all the time, his mother has had to stay home to take care of him and do housework, and his father has had to work to support 5 people in the family, so the family's finances have been extremely difficult.

In danger, Truong's family sought support from the Provincial Association for the Disabled. Through the association's advocacy and appeal, many organizations and individuals donated 104 million VND so that Truong could undergo surgery at Hoan My Hospital. However, after the surgery, Truong was diagnosed with pneumonia, gastroesophageal reflux, etc., so he had to undergo intensive treatment. The cost of his treatment therefore increased to over 300 million VND and fortunately, it was fully supported by health insurance and other organizations. Up to now, he has undergone 4 surgeries and his health has gradually stabilized.

Mr. Duong Ngoc Minh (Truong's father) was moved: "Before, my husband and I did not think that our son would be saved. Because he was born with many diseases and was weak. Without the help of the Provincial Association for the Disabled, my son would not be here today. My family is extremely grateful to the association and the benefactors."

Children in ethnic minority areas have a high risk of congenital heart disease.

When she was 7 months pregnant, Ms. Tran Thi L., Dong Hai Ward (Dong Hoi City) discovered that her fetus had TBS. In September 2023, Duong Duc P. (Ms. L's son) was born in a mix of joy and sadness for the family. Carrying the disease from the womb, the child developed more slowly than children of the same age because of difficulty breathing and difficulty breastfeeding, so he cried all the time. Through the introduction of friends, Ms. L. sought help from the Provincial Association for the Disabled and at the end of December 2023, P. had heart surgery at Hanoi E Hospital with a total cost of 90 million VND, of which 30 million VND was paid by health insurance, the rest was mobilized by the Association for the Disabled and supported.

Ms. L.'s family is in a difficult situation as they have to raise two young children. P. has TBS, her mother-in-law has a stroke and is bedridden, and her father-in-law is also old and weak, so all household expenses and treatment for her child depend on her husband. Ms. L. confided: "Without the help of the Provincial Association for the Treatment of Stroke, my child would not have been saved. The Association and the benefactors have truly given birth to my child again. Although she still has to go back to Hanoi for check-ups, her health is now stable. She can walk, eat, sleep, and play some light physical activities"...

Many children with congenital heart disease can move and play after successful surgery.

Continuing to help children with TBS, from 2024, the Provincial Association of Children with TBS in coordination with VinaCapital Foundation (VCF) will implement the project "Supporting disadvantaged children with TBS in Quang Binh province for the period 2024-2026". The total project cost is over 2.7 billion VND from non-refundable aid; the goal is to support cardiovascular health care for children and patients from poor, near-poor, and disadvantaged households in the province through activities providing heart screening services and supporting free heart surgery costs.

During the 2024-2026 period, it is expected that about 27,000-36,000 children will receive free medical examinations under the program. Children with TBS who require surgery or cardiovascular intervention and are from poor, near-poor, or disadvantaged families will be put on the priority list for support. Screening will increase the rate of early detection of heart defects in children and the opportunity to help them enjoy a longer, healthier life. The project is expected to treat at least 60 children with TBS in the area.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Thanh Huong added: “Currently, the number of children with TBS in the community is still high, most of whom are children in rural areas, ethnic minority areas, remote areas. The cost of travel for screening, surgery, and treatment is very high, so the Provincial TBS Association must make more efforts to provide maximum financial support for TBS patients. To do so, the association must continue to maintain regular connections with humanitarian and charitable organizations at home and abroad, as well as high-quality specialized hospitals to treat the children”…

In addition to supporting heart surgery for BNN, the Provincial BTBNN Association also carries out activities to support patients with eye surgery, support orphans through the “Godmother” program, support patients on dialysis, children with cancer and congenital hemolytic anemia in difficult circumstances. In addition, the association also supports disaster recovery, natural disasters, epidemics and many other support programs.

Spring King

Source: https://www.baoquangbinh.vn/suc-khoe/202407/cho-trai-tim-em-khoe-lai-2219647/