Heartbeat Vietnam celebrates saving 11,000 children with congenital heart defects

On July 17, 2024, after an 18-year journey, The VinaCapital Foundation’s Heartbeat Vietnam program celebrates another milestone of saving the lives of 11,000 children born with congenital heart defects (CHD). Each heart saved represents new hope for a child, transforming not only their little lives but also their families, and ultimately leads to a healthier and more prosperous Vietnam.

According to the statistics from the Ministry of Health, there are 15,000 infants born in Vietnam each year with CHD. These children, often from impoverished rural areas, face financial challenges in accessing expensive treatment, long distance travel, and difficult post-operative care. Since 2006, Heartbeat Vietnam has been dedicated to sponsoring life-saving surgeries for underprivileged children in Vietnam, ensuring they receive timely treatment for a healthier future.

Anh Thu, a 12-year-old girl from Tra Vinh province, became the 11,000th child saved by Heartbeat Vietnam. At just one month old, Anh Thu exhibited cyanosis and experienced frequent fevers. She was diagnosed with “Tetralogy of Fallot,” a complex congenital heart defect requiring surgery. Anh Thu underwent her first surgery at the age of two, which significantly improved her health and allowed her to attend school and excel academically for the past six years. Her parents believed that she would no longer require additional medical treatment as they diligently cared for her and maintained regular post-operative check-ups. However, Anh Thu recently started experiencing chest pain, and further medical evaluation revealed the need for valve replacement surgery, a procedure far beyond her family’s financial means.

Twelve years ago, when Anh Thu’s mother discovered that her firstborn had a congenital heart defect, she was devastated, wondering why such a tragic fate had befallen her child. However, driven by their love for Anh Thu, the family persevered on the challenging journey of healing her heart. Against all odds, Anh Thu’s second surgery became possible through the support of the Association for the Protection of People with Disabilities and Victims of Agent Orange/dioxin, the Heartbeat Vietnam program, and numerous other donors. She underwent a successful surgery at The University Medical Center of Ho Chi Minh City, marking a significant milestone in her courageous journey.

“Throughout our unwavering 18-year journey, our mission has always been to ensure that no child with congenital heart defects loses their life simply because they lack the financial means to access treatment. It fills us with immense joy to witness the recovery of 11,000 little hearts. This miracle results from the joint efforts and invaluable support from local authorities, dedicated medical teams, kind-hearted donors, and more. Most importantly, the collaboration of the community together with VCF has ignited hope for a bright future for the children and their families, contributing to a healthier and more prosperous Vietnam,” shares Mr. Don Lam, CEO and Founding Partner of VinaCapital, Chair of the VCF Board.

Heartbeat Vietnam’s impact extends far beyond surgery. The program has provided 1,215 Continuing Care packages for vital check-ups and follow-up appointments, 809 Family Grants to alleviate financial burdens on families caring for sick children, and 263 Scholarships to ensure bright students can continue their education. VinaCapital Foundation also organizes Rural Outreach Clinics in rural provinces where access to healthcare is limited. Through these clinics, nearly 400,000 children have been screened, and over 11,700 children with congenital heart defects have been identified. Those who required early surgical intervention to survive were provided with surgery and this ensures that no child is left behind.

Upon reaching this memorable milestone, VinaCapital Foundation, Heartbeat Vietnam, and our other partners commit to continuing the journey to locate and save more “heart children” so that they can grow up healthy, dream dreams, reach their full potential and contribute to Vietnam’s development.