Ngu is a 20-year-old woman from Burma. “When Ngu was an infant, she was very thin, and did not gain weight quickly, even though her appetite appeared normal,” says our medical partner, Burma Border Projects (BBP). “She had difficulty breathing and she did not sleep well. Her family did not seek health care for Ngu at this time as her symptoms appeared to diminish over time; however, in 2015, Ngu sought medical care at a clinic in Mandalay as she was experiencing chest pain, difficult breathing and couldn’t walk far or do activities for an extended period.”
Ngu has a heart defect known as an abdominal aortic aneurysm. BBP adds that in the previous few years, Ngu experienced a decline in her health and as a result she dropped out of school after completing the 10th grade.
She now needs heart surgery to correct the defect and ensure she can live symptom-free for the rest of her life. However, Ngu and her family cannot afford the cost of the treatment she needs.
“Her entire family is involved in the family business, which is the production and distribution of food snacks. Business drops off considerably during the rainy season and at that time, they may need to borrow money to tide them over,” BBP says. “Ngu does light housework at home to help out and she enjoys listening to music and playing video games during her free time.”
Burma Children’s Medical Fund has contributed $13,525 toward Ngu’s surgery cost. An additional $1,500 will fully fund this life-saving procedure and allow Ngu to grow up healthy.
“I would like to become a doctor, a heart surgeon,” Ngu says, “so I could do free surgeries for those that need them.”