by Faith Adams, Communications Director

Two weeks ago this 3-year-old girl named Nhi was treated at our newest partner site.

She is one of many children with heart disease who have been waiting for treatment in this part of Vietnam. Because the need is so great, we are pleased to announce that we have a new hospital partner site at Kien Giang General Hospital in Rach Gia. The goal of this program is to improve its ability to provide high-quality pediatric cardiac care in the region and to ensure timely diagnosis and referral of all patients in need of cardiac care. Currently there are no centers south of Ho Chi Minh City that can provide pediatric cardiac surgery in this region, which is home to 45 million people. As our training work here advances, the cardiac program at Kien Giang General Hospital will provide high-quality cardiac care to more children like young Nhi.

The week-long training visit earlier this month was led by a medical volunteer team from British Columbia Children’s Hospital. The medical volunteers were accompanied by Children’s HeartLink International Programs Manager Adriana Dobrzycka and Vice President of International Programs Bistra Zheleva.

Rach Gia is located on the southwest coast of the Gulf of Thailand, 160 miles from Ho Chi Minh City. The pediatric cardiac team at Nhi Dong 1, our partner site in Ho Chi Minh City, will be one of the training partners for the team at Kien Giang.

Dr. Thuy from Kien Giang and Lindsey Williams from British Columbia Children’s Hospital screen 4-year-old Khoi before his surgery.

Thank you to the wonderful medical volunteer team from British Columbia Children’s Hospital and a warm welcome to the pediatric cardiac team at Kien Giang General Hospital! This is an exciting partnership that brings hope to patients and their families in this region of Vietnam.