Phuntsok Yangdron shows an old photograph of her and her mother from 7 years ago at a local hospital in Naidong county, Shannan, Tibet autonomous region, on July 13, 2019. In 2012, she underwent heart surgery at Wuhan Asia Heart Hospital, which was a complete success. (Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn)
Five-year-old Le Le and 18-month-old Meng Meng from the impoverished Jingyuan county, Guyuan, Northwest China's Ningxia Hui autonomous region, also benefitted from the hospital's program.
In April of this year, the younger sister Meng Meng was diagnosed with congenital heart disease in a medical examination organized by the hospital, after her elder sister Le Le received a similar diagnosis in a kindergarten physical check-up not long ago.
A congenital heart surgery usually costs around 25,000 ($3,638) to 40,000 yuan ($5,821), which placed a tremendous amount of pressure on the family with six daughters, one working parent and over 60,000 yuan of debt.
After learning about the family's financial difficulties, the expert team helped the girls apply for a special fund, which covers more than 80,000 yuan of the total medical expenses.
In mid May, the two sisters went to Wuhan with more than a dozen children with congenital heart diseases in Ningxia Hui autonomous region. Tao and Wang Xiao, deputy head of cardiothoracic surgery department, performed the surgery on the girls with success.
Tao Liang warms the stethoscope with his hand before he conducts heart examination at a local hospital in Qusong county, Shannan, Tibet autonomous region, on July 15, 2019. (Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn)
Tao said "it is not difficult to do good deed. What's challenging is to keep doing them and encourage people around you to participate in these activities." He hopes that Wuhan Asia Heart Hospital's efforts will help cure more patients and make their dreams come true.
Medical programs organized by Wuhan Asia Heart Hospital have provided heart operations for 40,000 children and teenagers from a number of regions including Guizhou province, Ningxia Hui autonomous region and Tibet autonomous region since its establishment. A total of over 9,600 junior congenital heart disease patients who come from impoverished families have benefitted from free heart surgeries.
By the end of 2019, the hospital aims to see its 10,000th patient, whose life will be greatly improved by the heart surgery.
