Help for children with congenital heart disease

Because of the energy and resilience that comes with youth, most children don’t have to worry about being plagued with health issues more serious than a scraped knee or adolescent acne. Then again, about 5.5 million children all over the world who suffer from congenital heart disease (CHD) are faced with serious health issues from the moment they are born. In fact, 94 percent of those who suffer from CHD do not even have access to proper medical attention, according to the Gift of Life International (GOLI), an organization that provides treatment to children with CHD from low-income families. According to GOLI, they receive the highest number of requests for assistance for CHD treatment from the Philippines, with an average of two requests from Filipino parents every week. This is not surprising considering that CHD is so common here in the country that the Department of Health even lists it as among the top 10 causes of infant mortality. CHD, as the name suggests, is a malformation of the heart at birth. According to the Mayo Clinic, CHD can be caused by a variety of conditions which include alcohol or certain medications taken by the mother during pregnancy, rubella and diabetes in the pregnant mother, and heredity. Symptoms of serious CHD, according to the Mayo Clinic, include pale blue or grey skin color, rapid breathing, swelling in the legs, abdomen, and areas around the eyes, and shortness of breath while feeding. The Mayo Clinic says that the heart defects can be as simple as a small hole between the chambers of the heart which can heal on its own in time. However, some defects are more serious than others, and require multiple surgery and extensive treatment. Such is the case with five-year-old Romy Gural, who appeared on a segment on GMA News’ “24 Oras.” Romy suffers from a one-cm hole in his heart, and an extra vein. His parents were told by doctors that the only way to treat his condition is through surgery. To help children with CHD, GOLI has partnered with the Rotary Club of Makati West (RCMW) and several local hospitals. Together, they have had over 240 surgeries since 2005. Many of their beneficiaries have gone on to live normal, healthy lives. Their first beneficiary, Vandre Serafico, underwent surgery in December 2004, when he was only one year and 10 months old. Now, Serafico is a grade four student at Pio Elementary School. Another beneficiary, 12-year-old Pamela Ronquillo, diagnosed with CHD when she was five, shared that after her operation at St. Luke’s Medical Center-Global City in July 2011, she feels generally healthier. “Makalipas po ang isang taon, 'di na ako mabilis mapagod. Nagkaroon na ako ng ganang kumain, kaya nagkaroon ako ng malusog na pangangatawan at maipagpapatuloy ko na ang pag-abot sa aking mga pangarap,” Pamela said. Parents of children with heart ailments who need medical support can submit to the RCMW a social case study report from their own community social welfare office to determine the family’s financial capacity. RCMW members will then find and negotiate with partner hospitals. For interested beneficiaries and donors, RCMW may be e-mailed at rotaryclubmakatiwest@gmail.com and clubrotaryomakatiwest@globelines.com.ph. — KG, GMA News