A couple in Nghe An Province are calling for help to treat their children who are both suffering from beta-thalassemia.

Ho Thi Hiep met her husband Nguyen Cao Anh while working in the south. In 2006, she gave birth to their eldest son, Nguyen Cao Nhat. However, Nhat was weak since birth so they had to send him to live with their parents. Four years later, they had a daughter but she was also weak. Hiep decided to return home.

In 2012, Hiep brought her son to Hanoi as he had become pale and thin and his stomach was bloated. The family was shocked when he was diagnosed with beta-thalassemia. Fearing the worst, Hiep had her daughter tested and received the same diagnosis.

Hiep said, "When I knew that both of them had beta-thalassemia, I cried my heart out. Doctors said it's because I and my husband had the same type of genes. They can't be cured and need blood transfusions for their whole life. If I could die to make them better, I would."

Both Hiep's children have beta-thalassemia

Once every two months, Hiep must bring her children to the National Institute of Haematology and Blood Transfusion for dialysis and medicines. Each trip costs them VND5m (USD220) to VND7m.

"There was once time we couldn't prepare the money in time. Doctors scolded us for being late because the children might have heart failure and other organs might also be affected," Hiep said.

Hiep and her daughter

Normally, the children only needed to stay at hospital for three days but when they were late, they had to stay at hospital for a week. Without money, they only bought a part of the required medicines.

Hiep and her husband are staying at their parents' dilapidated house. Hiep is selling varied products, while her husband helps out at construction sites. But their income is not enough for the treatment. Hiep's parents-in-law are also old and can't help much.