Thailand
Bumrungrad brings life-changing treatment to underprivileged Cambodian kids
Seven underprivileged Cambodian children were selected on Friday to receive congenital heart disease treatment at no cost at the Bumrungrad International Hospital in Thailand.
The programme is part of the Cambodia Healing Hearts Charity Project in collaboration with Bumrungrad Hospital Foundation and Bumrungrad International Hospital and backed by the Royal Thai Embassy in Phnom Penh, Samdech Techo Young Doctor Association (TYDA), Calmette Hospital and Thai Air Asia.
The project was established with the objectives of using the expertise and resources of Bumrungrad Hospital, to provide surgeries for underprivileged children in neighbouring countries.
Napas Paorohitaya, the representative of Bumrungrad Hospital Foundation and chief marketing officer of Bumrungrad International Hospital said the project was initiated with the objective to help children from poor families who are in real need of heart surgery.
“These children risk facing premature death or possibly stunted growth. A heart surgery is obviously a complicated undertaking that requires high medical expertise from specialists. In addition, there is the high cost of the surgeries which is not accessible to the needy patients.
“This is how Bumrungrad Hospital Foundation steps in to ensure the children are treated in a timely manner, thereby reducing complications and mortality rate while improving their health,” she said at a ceremony held at the Calmette Hospital in Phnom Penh.
Speaking to the media, Dr Preecha Laohakunakorn, head of project medical team and representative of Bumrungrad Hospital Foundation and Bumrungrad International Hospital said the selection process was a difficult one, adding that those selected are going to Bangkok because their cases were urgent compared to those who did not make it in the first group of the seven lucky ones.
“There were 15 children diagnosed and only seven of them were selected. This is because the doctors decided that their cases demanded immediate attention,” said Mr Preecha.
However, in a response to Khmer Times, he said, the eight others were not selected because their health situation was not as urgent as the seven others but this is not the end of the road for them.
“There will be many more selection processes in the future and the other children will have another chance to receive the treatment,” he said.
The Bangkok-based Bumrungrad International Hospital has a long history of offering free operations to Thai children.
In 2012, it made the headlines when it decided to offer free operations to two Myanmar children suffering from heart diseases.
Since 2003, the project has helped 775 patients in Thailand to receive the life-changing treatment. The hospital intends to boost its outreach programme to other countries in the region, thanks to the support of its major sponsors and donors.
His Excellency Panyarak Poolthup, the Thai Ambassador to Cambodia, said, “This project is a noble mission. Not only it will save lives of unfortunate children, but it also serves as a testimony of the strong bonds of friendship between Thailand and Cambodia. The Healing Heart Project is, in fact, a ‘Heart-to-Heart’ program from Thailand to Cambodia.”
Hun Manet, chairman of Samdech Techo Youth Volunteer Doctors’ Association (TYDA) said over the years, Cambodia has been transformed from a poor land filled with problems and is now evolving to become a potential and prosperous territory in peace and social stability. This has enabled the government to succeed with many great achievements.
A large part of the local success in the health sector was reached with the reduction of mortality rates, resulting in the mortality rate of children falling from 124/1,000 live births in 2000 to 45 In 2010. Maternal mortality has dropped from 450 in 1 million births in 2000 to 206 in 2010 and has seen continued decrease in subsequent years.
Professor Chheang Ra, director general of Calmette Hospital, expressed his gratitude towards the donors and the hospital for making this possible.
”As a Cambodian citizen, I am impressed and grateful for the children with congenital heart diseases who will receive surgery at Bumrungrad International Hospital in Thailand at no cost, which is a big help for the Cambodian people.
“Again, I would like to thanks all partners and sponsors. This is the beginning of a contribution to Cambodian children with the Phnom Penh Heart Center, which has previously helped to operate and treat many Cambodian children, and this project still requires a long-term partnership,” Mr Ra said.
During the past five years, said Ms Napas, after the project was well-established in Thailand, the hospital extended its help to Myanmar and Vietnam.
“And this year, on the occasion of the 38th anniversary of Bumrungrad Hospital, we are determined to carry on with our resolution to promote good public health.
“And also, to express the cordial relations between Thailand and Cambodia through public health programs, we are pleased to offer to perform heart surgery on seven underprivileged Cambodian children,” she said.
Thai AirAsia, a sponsor of the Cambodia Healing Hearts Charity Project, said, it was elated to be able to participate in this project.
“We are truly honoured to be part of this experience and to support children in need of heart surgery. Going forward, AirAsia will also support the selected patients, and their families to fly to Thailand for heart surgery. This is a very meaningful role for us and we are proud to do our part in helping those in crucial need.”
Source: https://www.khmertimeskh.com/50524098/bumrungrad-brings-life-changing-treatment-to-underprivileged-cambodian-kids/