| Vietnam |
 Presently, only 10% of children in Vietnam are receiving life-saving surgery for congenital heart disease. Therefore, CardioStart cases in Vietnam involve very young pediatric cases, and some young adults with severe vascular disease arising (mostly) from rheumatic fever. In conjunction with Humanitarian Services for Vietnamese Children (HSCV), CardioStart assists with pediatric and adult congenital/acquired heart surgery in Hanoi, Vietnam. The hospital is advancing pediatric and near adult congenital heart surgery and cardiology, and CardioStart helps the local team with diagnostics and more complex techniques than they are currently handling. CardioStart missions take place at the new 200-bed E-Hospital Cardiovascular Center. This university-based hospital has just opened a new center for pediatric and adult cardiac care and has been allocated by the Ministry of Health to become a flagship hospital representing State-of-the Art cardiovascular services for the nation. Its cardiovascular service is being led by Dr. Lê Ng?c Thành. His unit at the Viet Duc hospital already has a nationally admired reputation with an established history of success in conducting pediatric and older congenital heart cases. Many of his staff have joined the new unit, and bring their expertise with them. Collectively, they are seeking CardioStart’s help to develop their program to ensure gold standards are in place and safe passage of their children through the system is ensured. Deficits in equipment, supplies and education affect their ability to help these children. With assistance of equipment, education and program development there is hope that more children can be helped in a timely manner. All CardioStart missions are strongly education focused. HANOI (Vietnamese: Hà N?i), the capital of Vietnam, is a fascinating blend of East and West, with Chinese influence from centuries of dominance, and French design from its colonial past. It is largely unspoiled by modern architecture of the 1970s and 80s, and is now going through a modernization that is making it a rising star in Southeast Asia. Visitors will find several museums of historical significance including the infamous “Hanoi Hilton” which held Senator John McCain during the Vietnam War. Hoan Kiem Lake is a pleasant park in the center of town, within easy walking distance from anywhere in the Old Quarter. Hanoi is considered a culinary capital of Vietnam with a culinary school and many highly regarded restaurants. Hanoi residents greeted CardioStart volunteers last year with great warmth and the attitude towards foreigners, including those from the USA is very courteous and hospitable. Teams to Vietnam typically include: 2 Pediatric Cardiac Surgeons OR…… one pediatric and one adult surgeon 1 Scrub Nurse 1 Circulating Nurse 1-2 Pediatric Cardiologists or adult congenital cardiology interest 1 Pediatric Intensivist 1 Pediatric Anesthesiologist 1 Anesthesiology Technician/nurse 6 Pediatric Intensive Care Nurses 1 Respiratory Therapist 1-2 Pediatric Perfusionists 1-2 Biomedical Engineers 1 Child Life Specialist 1 Education Coordinator 1 Mission Coordinator Pharmacist Echo Technician Interpreters OPPORTUNITY TO PRESENT AT CONFERENCE CardioStart has been invited to present topics at the 3rd National Congress of Association of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery of Vietnam. It will be held Dec. 10-11, 2010 in Hue City , Vietnam at the end of the mission activities. It is voluntary, and our hosts are appealing to any of us who can attend, to do so, as honored guests. Any lectures offered will be translated simultaneously. Travel and accommodation costs incurred for this conference are the volunteers’ responsibility. |