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Over 100 Tibetan children suffering from congenital heart diseases are receiving free surgery. The group arrived in Beijing this week. Ranging from one to 17 years old, the journey to the capital marked their first time on a train. The operations are being funded by the China Charity Federation and a number of private donations.
Diagnosed with congenital heart disease patient, 13-year old Doji Zezhu is part of the free surgery program,together with his little brother and sister.
It’s the first time they’ve ever left the Tibetan Autonomous Region. But hundreds of children from minority groups have already benefited from the free heart operations organized by ChinaCharity Federation.
Xu Yixuan, vice-chairman of China Charity Federation, said, "We have been running this program for over a year. We ’ve helped over 850 minority children from poor families. We can’t allow poverty to stop a heart beating."
Doji is busy exploring his new environment while his little brother having his operation. The younger brother’s heart condition is more complex. His thin arterial blood vessels mean surgeons will have to be extra careful when conducting the operation.
A doctor said, "It was very successful. We have reached the target outcome."
Zhang Guorong, deputy chief of Air Force General Hospital, said, "Our doctors work from 8am to 10pm and conduct 14 operations a day. We want to finish this session before June 1st, which is Children’s Day."
Doji and his family are lucky. The harsh environment in the Tibetan region means congenital heart disease is more common there compared to the rest of China.
Watching his little brother coming out of the operation room, Doji says he’s afraid but he’s still eager to finish the surgery so that he can play with his friends again.
The doctors are busy preparing little Doji Zezhu for a new life. This cooperation between hospitals and charity funds sets an example of what we should and could do for Tibetan children from poor families.
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