Patients from Sichuan receive free surgery

Source: CCTV.com | 10-15-2008 09:01

Material help is not all people in Sichuan need. Some families suffered heavy economic losses in the earthquake and can't afford to pay their medical bills.

Authorities estimate in the city of Chengdu alone, the number  of such patients could exceed 3,000.

Duan Yongjie arrived in Shanghai over the weekend. The two year old has a harelip and suffers from congenital heart disease. Doctors estimate it will cost up to 70,000 yuan to treat him. But the family's annual income is less than one seventh of that. Making things worse, they lost almost all of their possessions in the May 12 earthquake.

Duan's stepmother Ms. Huang said, "If we were not invited to Shanghai for treatment, the only thing we could do is wait until we can save enough money for the surgery, possibly when he becomes a teenager. To be frank, it would be difficult."

Mei Ju, cardiothoracic director of Xinhua hospital said, "Harelip surgery requires general anaesthesia. Duan is still very young, and anestehesia is very likely to trigger heart failure during the operation. Medical skills in his hometown are not advanced enough to handle the situation. But we are experienced in this. We'll do our best to ensure successful surgery"

Dr. Mei is the one who decided to take Duan to Shanghai for treatment. He and his colleagues took a three day trip to Sichuan in late September to look for candidates for free treatment. With the help of the Chengdu red Cross Society, the team of doctors invited five patients to Shanghai, all but one young children. None were injured in the devastating earthquake. But they can no longer afford medical care after losing many of the bare necessities of survival in the quake.

Wang Ke, relief director of Chengdu Red Cross Society said, "With the injured from the earthquake already receiving medical treatment, we are granting more attention to patients like Duang Yongjie. It's also a part of our resettlement efforts, helping these patients afford treatment despite their huge losses in the earthquake."

Authorities estimate in the city of Chengdu alone, the number of such patients could exceed 3,000.

Mei Ju said, "One hospital can only help a limited number of such patients. But as long as more institutions join us, there will always be hope for these patients."

The five patients are now receiving final check-ups. All surgical operations will be completed this week.

Duan Yongjie's surgery is scheduled for Wednesday morning. doctors estimate it will last for about five hours, after which, the two year old will wake up to a brand new life.

Editor:Zhang Ning