Htay is a 31-year-old woman from Burma. She and her husband own a small farm, where they grow rice. She has a six-year-old daughter who currently is studying in kindergarten.
In 2014, Htay started to experience difficulty breathing, tiredness and dizziness when she was about to give birth. She went to a local hospital but was advised to go to a larger hospital because they suspected she had a heart condition. They then went to Hmone Ywar Hospital and although the doctor was concerned about her heart problem, she was able to deliver her baby successfully. After she gave birth, the doctor put her on oral medication to stabilize her heart. Since then, she has visited the hospital for her heart condition and received on-going medication. After a few hospital visits, Htay received an echocardiogram to confirm her heart diagnosis.
Because she could not afford the cost of the surgery, Htay has just relied on medication. Fortunately, when she went to a clinic in Yangon in December 2019, the doctor connected her with a former patient of Watsi Medical Partner Burma Children Medical Fund (BCMF) after she expressed that she could not afford the needed surgery.
Htay said, “I was really shocked and stressed by my health condition and cost of the required treatment. I felt hopeless and just wanted to go home. However, I was in an ineffable joy when I heard about possible supporters and that they would help me pay for my treatment.”