A woman in Cao Bang Province who is suffering from heart failure is in need of financial support to cover the cost of her operation.

Sam Thi Dep

Sam Thi Dep, from the Nung ethnic group, was admitted to Cao Bang General Hospital. But due to her severe condition, she was transferred to Hanoi Heart Hospital.

Dr. Nguyen Duy Chinh from the Department of Stroke and Vascular Diseases at Hanoi Heart Hospital said, "She is in critical condition. If she doesn't have operation soon, she'll die. But her family can't afford the treatment. We are treating her for liver failure before the heart surgery can be carried out."

 Dep at hospital

Her immune system is badly affected by the heart failure. Her body is now covered in small red dots as she has a viral fever. The cost to replace two valves and fix another valve in her heart is VND150m (USD6,800).

However, her husband has kidney failure and needs dialysis. As both of them are ill, they are struggling to earn enough money to pay hospital charges.

"If I die then my husband probably can't live by himself. We had a kid but he died," Dep said. "My husband has kidney failure and our only kid died last year after suffering from congenital hemolytic anemia. He was only 30 months old."