Single mother raising a young child with congenital heart disease.

(Baonghean.vn) - Believing that fate had not brought her a partner, and with her health failing and still without a family at over 40 years old, Ms. Tran Thi Hien decided to have a child to rely on in her old age. Unexpectedly, shortly after birth, her child had to be hospitalized repeatedly due to a congenital heart defect.

The small, one-story house in Block 4, Hung Nguyen town, is home to three families: Hien's parents, her older brother's family, and Hien and her mother. The family has four siblings, and due to poverty, all four siblings dropped out of school. As young adults, they had to work odd jobs to support themselves. After starting their own families, Hien's two older brothers also worked as construction laborers, earning an unstable income and living in rented accommodation without owning a house.

Hien's mother suffers from nerve and joint problems, making it very difficult for her to walk. Her father has a tremor and jaw stiffness, making eating difficult, and requires assistance with all personal activities. Despite their illnesses, the couple endures their suffering and avoids hospitalization because their children are struggling to make ends meet.

Ms. Hien was heartbroken that her nearly 7-month-old child weighed only 3.8kg. Photo: Dam Phuong

Small and frail, Hien toiled tirelessly, working the land from dawn till dusk on her four acres of rice paddies, with no time for rest, let alone socializing with friends. Her youth slipped away without her realizing it. Before she could save even a little money to buy herself decent clothes, she was already over 40. Feeling sorry for herself, Hien spent many sleepless nights silently weeping...

She decided to become a single mother, giving birth with the hope that her child would be a support for her after her parents passed away. In August 2016, baby girl Tran Thi Ngoc Anh was born, weighing 3.5 kg. Hien's family rejoiced at seeing both mother and child healthy. However, immediately after birth, baby Anh had difficulty breathing and her face turned blue, so she had to be hospitalized for treatment.

At the Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital, she was diagnosed with complete atrioventricular septal defect. The doctor said that surgery was needed as soon as possible, but after examination, it was discovered that Ánh had pneumonia and required continuous treatment in the hospital, with very little hope of survival. The doctors actively and diligently treated her, but Ánh's health remained very weak. At just two months old, she had to be rushed to the National Children's Hospital for emergency treatment.

Knowing about Hien's difficult circumstances as a single mother, the patient's family also gives her money for daily meals. Photo: Dam Phuong.

After recovering from pneumonia, the doctor advised Hien to eat well and nourish herself so that her child would be healthy, and to arrange about 30 million VND for heart surgery for her child as soon as possible, which might require three surgeries. Wiping away tears, Hien took her child home. In the days leading up to Tet (Lunar New Year), little Anh turned blue again and couldn't breathe, requiring emergency treatment. This time, Hien and her child were transported directly to Hanoi by ambulance from the Children's Hospital and underwent emergency surgery that same night. Nearly two months after the surgery, Hien and her child were discharged, but they had to borrow nearly 30 million VND for the surgery.

Since giving birth, Hien has been constantly going from one hospital to another. The fields have been left uncultivated, overgrown with weeds, and all food expenses depend on her poor siblings, compounded by unpaid debts. Her parents are both ill and rely on their children; their only asset is a small house that has to be divided to provide shelter for three families, nearly ten people in total.

Hiền's elderly parents and her mother stand in front of the small house shared by three families in Block 4, Hung Nguyen town. Photo: Dam Phuong

Although the hospital allowed her to defer payment for the surgery, Hien understood that her child still needed two more surgeries, and the child's life was still uncertain. Looking at her nearly seven-month-old child, who weighed only 3.8 kg—slightly heavier than at birth—Hien shared with heartbreak: "I'm always worried because my child's condition is critical, and he's so weak. If he has to go to the emergency room and have surgery again, it will be very dangerous. The money I've saved over the years is almost gone, and the debt to relatives and the policy bank is growing higher and higher…"

Mr. Nguyen Van Hao, Secretary of the Party Committee of Hung Nguyen Town, said: "Given Hien's family circumstances, the government has facilitated the necessary procedures and provided support. Neighbors have also helped with rice and milk, but not much else. However, providing treatment for Anh will be a long and expensive process, and her situation is extremely difficult. Therefore, we earnestly hope for support from the community to give Anh a chance to live."

Ha Linh