Medical check-ups have been provided to about 500 children with congenital heart diseases in the central province of Phu Yen to select around 50 for free surgeries.

The children were all under 16 years old and from disadvantaged backgrounds across the province.

The free check-ups and surgeries are conducted under the Prime Minister’s Decision 55a on support for children with congenital heart diseases.

This time, the Swiss-based Children Action organisation will give financial support covering 20 surgeries, worth 50 million VND (2,380 USD) each, according to Nguyen Van Trac from Phu Yen’s provincial Department of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs.

Since 2003, nearly 600 children in Phu Yen have received free heart operations.-VNA