CARDIOSTART INTERNATIONAL (CI) AND HUMANITARIAN SERVICE FOR CHILDREN OF VIETNAM (HSCV)

Cardiostart International (CI) sends cardiac medical teams to poor countries around the world. A twenty-three member team from CI came to Vietnam in November of 2009. They came here at the invitation of HSCV who had introduced them to Viet Duc University Hospital (VDUH) the previous year. CI recognized the need for improvement in the treatment of cardiac medical issues in Vietnam and agreed to help. In 2008 a scout team from CI visited the 4 hospitals in Ha Noi that treat children with heart issues and chose Viet Duc as the most appropriate one with which to work. In September 2009 CI shipped a 20-foot container containing medical supplies and equipment valued at $450,000 to VDUH. HSCV covered the shipping cost.

During CI’s two week mission they examined over 30 children and adults with cardiac issues each day. Four or five heart surgeries were performed each day in the two operating rooms dedicated to this project. Not only were the patients treated but the entire VDUH medical staff received intensive training in all aspects of caring for patients. Included were the appropriate pre and post operative care and treatment as well as specific surgical procedures. All of the patients treated will be evaluated on an on going basis to track the success of the surgeries. This will, of course, be of great benefit to the patients but also supplement the teaching aspect of the hospital medical staff in the after-care of patients.

The Viet Duc hospital staff expressed their sincere appreciation for the help provided by CI. HSCV is also very pleased to have played a part in this very successful mission. It is hoped by all parties that CI can return again in the future and continue this very valuable program that assisted so many.

Blogged by Ngo Thuy Hanh - HSCV team member