A child receives free heart checkup during the charity programme in Lai Chau. (Photo: VNA)Lai Chau (VNA) – Some 2,000 children and teenagers under 16years old in the northern provine of Lai Chau recieved have free screening forcongenital heart disease in a two-day charity programme.
The programme was organised by military-runtelecom group Viettel, Vietnam Television (VTV), Hanoi-based E Hospital and Lai Chau provincial GeneralHospital on July 13 -14.
Addressing the event, Director of the Viettelbranch in Lai Chau Dao Nhu Quynh said in each family of a child with congenitalheart disease, at least one person of working age needs to stay at home to look after the child, increasing the financial burden on the family. Thesooner the disease is cured, the better as it improves the child’s well-being, allows them to go to school and enables their parents to focus on making aliving, he noted.
Up to 80 percent of people with congenital heartdisease are cured if they aredianogsed early and receive treatment, said Doctor Tran Bac Dai, head of themedical team from E Hospital. He advised patients’ families to not be pessimistic nor hesitate to take them to the doctors.
This is the second time a free heart disease screeningfor children has been held inLai Chau. In 2003, close to 2,000 children were also given free checkups, 24 ofwho later recieved surgeries funded by a programme called “Trai tim cho em”(Operation Healthy Heart). Those dianogsed with heart disease this time willalso be provided with surgery. –VNA
VNA
