Free heart disease check-ups and counseling were given to over 1,600 poor children under 16 years old in Tuyen Quang province from March 2-3. The medical care was provided by Vietnam’s Military Telecom Corporation (Viettel), Hanoi’s Viet Duc Hospital, Tuyen Quang general hospital and Vietnam Television (VTV). Seventy-two children were found to be suffering from definite congenital heart disease giving a prevalence of 4.5%. Of the children, 55 disadvantaged children who were diagnosed as requiring surgery will receive treatment free of charge through ‘Trai Tim Cho Em’ (Operation Healthy Heart) program. The ‘Trai Tim Cho Em’, a heart surgery program initiated by the Viettel Group, East Meets West Foundation, and Vietnam Television in 2008 with an aim to support surgery needed by poor children who suffer from congenital heart deformities. (Nhan Dan – The People Mar 5)
