Over the past 20 years, the skillful mass mobilisation model "From heart to heart", initiated by the Da Nang Association for the Protection of Poor and Disadvantaged Women and Children, has covered surgical costs of more than VND 57.3 billion in total for 1,377 poor children with congenital heart disease. In 2024, the meaningful model continues to spread, lighting up hope for many children in difficult circumstances.

The Association for the Protection of Poor and Disadvantaged Women and Children of Hoa Vang District in coordination with the Office of Education and Training, the district's Medical Centre, and doctors from the Cardiovascular Centre udner the Da Nang Hospital, organised three free screening tests for the early detection of congenital heart complaints at kindergartens in the district. Photo: X.H

Thanks to recent free screening for the early detection of congenital heart complaints, Pham Viet Kien, 3, who is living in Hoa Nhon Commune, Hoa Vang District, has been diagnosed with the life-threatening disease.

Kien’s mother, Mrs. Mai Thi Hong Diem, has been guided by the Association for the Protection of Poor and Disadvantaged Women and Children to complete the necessary procedures and receive funding for congenital heart surgery at the Da Nang Hospital. As a single mother, the day Mrs. Diem received the news that her child unfortunately had a serious illness, she collapsed.

"I was very confused and worried because the cost of treatment was too high. I was very touched and grateful for the association’ support with free surgery costs for my child" she shared.

Another story is that of Tran Nguyen Xuan Thuy, born in 2020 in Hoa Phuoc Commune, Hoa Vang District, who has received financial support for congenital heart surgery at the Da Nang Hospital.

Mrs. Nguyen Thi Thao, Thuy’s mother, shared her joy at seeing her child healthier, Ms. Thao added that "I am very grateful for the support and companionship of the Association throughout my child's fight against the disease. The association has given my child a new life".

These are two of many cases that have the surgical costs for congenital heart disease funded by the municipal Association for the Protection of Poor Women and Children in 2024.

According to the President of the Association for the Protection of Poor and Disadvantaged Women and Children of Hoa Vang District, Mrs. Tran Thi Loc, every year, the unit coordinates with the district-level Office of Education and Training, the district’s Medical Centre, and doctors from the Cardiovascular Centre under the Da Nang Hospital to provide three free screening tests for the early detection of congenital heart complaints for kindergarten, primary school and senior high school pupils in the district.

Most recently, a free screening test for the early detection of congenital heart complaints have been offered to 3,646 children. Through the examination, 59 children have been diagnosed with congenital heart disease, of which 14 have been indicated for surgery.

Immediately after the examination results, Ms. Loc encouraged the parents to be confident. For children who have not been indicated for surgery, she regularly calls to remind them of regular medical check-ups and refers them to the municipal Association for the Protection of Poor and Disadvantaged Women and Children to receive early intervention and treatment support.

“Seeing many children with heart disease in very pitiful circumstances becoming healthier and happier is the motivation for me to try harder every day” Ms. Loc confided.

In Lien Chieu District, 189 children have received heart surgery totalling more than VND 9.8 billion. According to President of the district-level Association Nguyen Thi Hua, it takes around 10 days to guide families of children with congenital heart disease to complete procedures and have surgery. After surgery, the unit regularly visits and reminds the children to have regular check-ups.

President of the municipal-level Association for the Protection of Poor and Disadvantaged Women and Children Huynh Van Hoa said that in the past, when children were found to have congenital heart disease, they had to go to Ha Noi or Ho Chi Minh City for treatment, which resulted in high costs and a long time. Later, the Association coordinates with the municipal Department of Health and the Department of Education and Training to conduct free screening for children aged under 18 for the early detection of the disease.

With the model "From heart to heart", the Da Nang Association for the Protection of Poor and Disadvantaged Women and Children has become a bridge of humanity, bringing faith and hope to thousands of children with congenital heart disease in the city.

Reporting by XUAN HAU - Translating by M.DUNG