Seven Tibetan children with heart defects operated on in Zhengzhou
In Zhengzhou, the capital of central China's Henan Province, seven Tibetan children with congenital heart defects have successfully undergone free surgical treatment. When the highlands meet the plains, and Tibetan children whose hearts beat irregularly are given a chance at a healthy life, medicine becomes not just a science but an act of human solidarity. The thousands of kilometres separating Tibet and Zhengzhou were no obstacle for volunteers and doctors who travelled to the mountains to find those in need of help. Five‑year‑old Tenzin Wangmo, who even got short of breath after a short jog, can now run like any other child. Her story is just one of seven, but behind each of them are parents sighing with relief after surgery and doctors for whom a child's recovery is the best reward. This is not just a medical case – it is a bridge between regions where kindness and professionalism erase boundaries.
The final procedures were completed on Thursday, marking the end of the latest phase of a screening and treatment programme jointly organised by Zhengzhou Seventh People's Hospital and the Red Cross Foundation of China (CRCF). Five‑year‑old Tenzin Wangmo lives in the high‑altitude area of Shannan City in the Tibet Autonomous Region in southwest China. Before coming to Zhengzhou, even a short run left her breathless, and in winter her lips would turn purple for long periods. In early June this year, a team of medical volunteers from Zhengzhou Seventh People's Hospital and other organisations travelled to Tibet for screening, where the girl was diagnosed with an atrial septal defect and deemed suitable for surgery. At the end of July, Tenzin Wangmo, along with six other Tibetan children, arrived in Zhengzhou for surgical treatment. After hospitalisation, the children underwent a full range of preoperative examinations and assessments. In early August, Tenzin Wangmo was the first to undergo surgery. "The whole operation went very smoothly and the results were excellent. After the surgery, the child is practically no different from a normal person – there are no significant changes," said Liu Chunming, director of the Tenth Department of Cardiovascular Surgery at Zhengzhou Seventh People's Hospital.
The screening and treatment programme for congenital heart defects in children from remote regions of China has been running for several years. Congenital heart defects remain one of the leading causes of child mortality in high‑altitude areas where access to specialised medical care is limited. Thanks to the efforts of the Red Cross Foundation and Zhengzhou Hospital, hundreds of children from Tibet and other regions have received free treatment. Doctors note that early diagnosis and timely surgery allow children to lead full, unrestricted lives. This year, the programme was expanded, and medical teams visited several counties in Tibet, screening more than 500 children. Seven of them were referred to Zhengzhou for surgery. According to organisers, such campaigns not only save lives but also strengthen trust between peoples, demonstrating that care for health knows no national or geographical boundaries.
As CCTV+ reports, the successful completion of operations for seven Tibetan children has become yet another proof that compassion and professional medicine can overcome any distance, and the programme will continue its work to give health to many more children from hard‑to‑reach regions of China.
