The heartbreaking plight of a 2-month-old baby with congenital heart disease and cleft lip and palate.

Under the dry, scorching sun of early April, we visited the family of Mr. Nguyen Dinh Van (residing in Bau Sen hamlet, Thanh Giang commune, Thanh Chuong district) in their dilapidated one-story house. The sight of his grandson struggling in his mother's arms, milk splashing all over his face and clothes, his face turning purple as if he were about to collapse, was heartbreaking to behold.

At nearly two months old, the baby's body weight has only increased by 0.5 kg compared to when she was born. Photo: Diep Phuong

Hastily wiping her child's face, the mother, with her pale, dark complexion, was comforting her poor baby until he fell asleep, only then realizing there were guests in the house. Wiping away the tears welling up on her cheeks and her eyes dark circles from many sleepless nights, Ms. Hoan tearfully confided: "Because my child's lip is cleft, almost all of his left nostril is blocked, making it impossible for him to breathe, and his mouth can't close properly, breastfeeding is very difficult. I have to express the milk into a bottle for him to drink, but he still chokes frequently."

Sharing her story with us, Ms. Hoan said that, having fallen in love at the age when "men get married, women get married," in 2007, Mr. Nguyen Dinh Van (born in 1974) and Ms. Phan Thi Hoan (born in 1985) decided to get married and build a family together. They thought their life would be simple in their cramped, old house, filled with laughter, love, and happiness alongside their children: Nguyen Dinh Tu (born in 2012), Nguyen Thi Ngoc Tung (born in 2014), and their third child growing in Ms. Hoan's womb. But happiness was short-lived. Just as the family was eagerly anticipating the birth of their youngest son, Nguyen Dinh Bach, they were devastated to hear the terrible news that Bach was born with a congenital heart defect and a cleft lip and palate.

Although nearly two months old, the baby's body weight has only increased by 0.5 kg compared to when he was born (he weighed 3.5 kg at birth and is currently 4 kg). He has had to visit the hospital many times for heart examinations and treatment. Doctors have diagnosed his condition as very serious and requiring early surgery, but due to the family's difficult circumstances and the baby's extremely weak health, the surgery cannot yet be performed. According to the treatment plan, the time it will take for the baby to undergo heart surgery and cleft lip and palate surgery cannot be measured in months or years…

Summary of Bach's medical record. Photo: Diep Phuong

Meanwhile, the family's economy relies solely on five acres of rice paddies, a few square meters of vegetable garden, and Mr. Van's unstable income as a construction worker. Since the baby was born, the family has had to tighten their belts, saving money and selling two growing goats to pay for the baby's daily medication. Their entire fortune now consists of only a buffalo for agricultural production, an old motorbike, and a flock of chickens… all of which are at risk of being sold.

Unable to breathe through her nose, the baby had to try her best to breathe through her mouth. Photo: Diep Phuong

Deeply asleep in his mother's arms, little Bach was struggling to breathe, gasping for air through his mouth. His labored breaths came in rapid bursts due to the pain, and every now and then he would scream in agony, leaving those witnessing the scene heartbroken and unable to hold back their tears.

Mr. Phan Van Chin, head of Bau Sen hamlet, Thanh Giang commune, said: "The family of Mr. Van and Ms. Hoan is among the most disadvantaged families in the hamlet and is currently in a desperate situation because they lack the money to treat their child's heart disease and cleft lip and palate. Therefore, in addition to support from the local authorities and neighbors, we earnestly hope to receive assistance from benefactors near and far to help the child have a brighter future."

Any assistance should be sent to the child's parents at the following address:

Mr. Nguyen Dinh Van and Ms. Phan Thi Hoan, Bau Sen hamlet, Thanh Giang commune, Thanh Chuong district (Nghe An province). Phone number: 0168.9232.467