Tiền Trịnh Ngọc Vy, who received free heart surgery from Heartbeat Vietnam, with her mother. — Photo courtesy of VinaCapital Foundation

HCM CITY — Heartbeat Vietnam, VinaCapital Foundation’s health care programme, has funded 7,000 life-saving heart operations for disadvantaged children with congenital heart defects in Việt Nam after 12 years of operation.

Tiền Trịnh Ngọc Vy, born in 2018, was diagnosed with congenital Tetralogy of Fallot. Vy has a twin sister and a seven-year-old brother.

Her parents, who live in HCM City’s District 5, could not afford the surgery costs of VNĐ80 million (US$3,400) as her family lives on the father’s income as a driver.

After undergoing successful surgery in the Heart Institute in HCM City in March, Vy is now in good health.

The charity programme will continue to travel to remote areas to deliver free heart screenings and fund operations for nearly 1,000 children diagnosed with congenital heart defects per year.

Some initiatives of Heartbeat Vietnam to promote fundraising and awareness include Vết Sẹo Cuộc Đời (Scar of Life) and Chạy Vì Trái Tim (Run for the Heart), and documentaries Nối Kết Yêu Thương (Connecting Love) on HCM City Television (HTV).

In Việt Nam, about 16,000 babies are born every year with congenital heart defects, of which 7,500 cases need medical intervention, according to research conducted by VinaCapital Foundation.

Defects such as atrial septal defect, ventricular septal defect, and Tetralogy of Fallot had high risks a decade ago but can now be cured.

Many children in rural areas have few chances for cardiac diagnosis and consultancy, which results in life-threatening complications. —VNS