FIVE children diagnosed with congenital heart disease from the Tibetan Autonomous Region received treatment at Shenzhen Children’s Hospital on Sept. 10 under the sponsorship of a charity campaign, the Shenzhen Special Zone Daily reported.

The charity campaign was launched by Shenzhen’s work group tasked with aiding Tibet, the city’s health and family planning commission, SF Express Foundation and Shenzhen Children’s Hospital to help patients under 14 years old in Chayu County in Nyingchi.

Sun Jiahui, a 3-year-old girl from the county, is one of the five children who underwent surgery in Shenzhen. She was diagnosed with congenital heart disease in June last year. Like many other children in the county, it was unlikely the girl would receive proper, timely treatment.

A team comprised of medical experts from Shenzhen arrived in the county two months ago to offer medical assistance to Sun and other children. The team arrived at their destination after being trapped on the road for three days due to a mud slide.

The medical team chose five patients who were suitable to travel to Shenzhen for surgery.

Sun’s mother was extremely thrilled to learn the exciting news. The mother had taken her girl to Chengdu, capital of Sichuan Province, to see doctors. However, the family could not afford the costly surgery.

“I am very grateful for the charity campaign and I have regained hope because of it,” said the mother.

Most cases of congenital heart disease are manageable with early diagnosis and proper treatment.

“The surgery is not particularly difficult, but it’s better not to perform it on children at such a high altitude,” said Ding Yiqun, a doctor from the Shenzhen Children’s Hospital. Ding said they made different surgery plans for each of the five children according to their conditions.

The aid team also donated 2,000 yuan (US$292) to the family of each child. “The money is to cover their costs in Shenzhen,” said Huang Lehui, a representative from the aid team.

According to the report, it is not the first time that Shenzhen Children’s Hospital has offered free surgery to needy children with heart problems in remote areas. The hospital has aided over 500 children since 2011.

The five children are now recovering before traveling home ahead of the coming National Day Holiday. (Zhang Qian)