The Heart Surgery Program is extremely important in Angkor Hospital for Children (AHC). Since its launch, the program hundreds of children who suffer from congenital heart defects have been treated successfully.
Recently, we had to postpone heart surgeries because the hospital was busy with out-breaks of Dengue fever and a severe strain of Hand, Foot and Mouth disease (HFMD). During the out-breaks AHC faced many challenges including staff, bed and equipment shortages. AHC had to increase the numbers of beds in the Inpatient Department to 60 beds. Patients were in corridors and on mattresses on the floor. In addition we rearranged classrooms and wards to have a dedicated area for HFMD which is a highly contagious disease.
In the middle of September the number of dengue and HFMD patients dropped so AHC was able to restart heart surgery. On September 27 the Singapore Heart Team arrived with a plan to do eight operations. Three days later the surgeries were finished and all cases were successful. The excellent team work between AHC and Singaporean surgeons benefits both our current and future patients as we hope that one day our Cambodian surgeons will be able to do operations unassisted.
Patient’s story
Koe* is a 7 year old boy from the Kompong Thom province, 150 km from Siem Reap. He lives with his parents (who are farmers), grandpa and younger sister. When he was one year old his parents noticed his abnormal breathing and his weight was not increasing as it should.
Initially, his parents took Koe to a private clinic. The clinic suspected Koe had a congenital heart problem so they suggested to bring him to Phnom Penh. In a big pediatric hospital in the capital, Koe’s parents learned he did have a heart problem. The hospital staff said that Koe could not be treated unless they had a lot of money. Koe’s parents continued to search for any hospital that could treat their son’s illness, but many told them the same thing.
Fortunately, Koe’s mother got information about AHC from the local market. In AHC some initial tests including a chest x-ray, heart ultrasound, and blood tests were done. The cardiologist confirmed that Koe had a heart problem, known as a Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD).
A VSD, also called a hole in the heart, is a defect that’s present at birth. It involves a hole in the heart between the heart’s lower chambers, allowing oxygen-rich and oxygen-poor blood to mix. It was explained to Koe’s parents that their son’s problem could be fixed by surgery but they would have to wait until he grew up. To maintain his health his parents had to bring him to AHC to get medicine and check- ups once a month.
After seven years, the day for surgery arrived. The operation was successful and Koe’s prognosis is excellent. “I am so excited about the future. I have a plan for my son to go to school in the next two years”, Koe’s mother said. Koe’s family would like to send tremendous thanks to all AHC staff as well as the Singapore Heart Team that have given her son a new lease on life.
*Patient’s name has been changed for confidentiality reasons.
