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?CHI KO OO – Six years old

Six months ago Chi Ko Oo’s Father moved Chi Ko Oo, his mother and 2 siblings from Burma to Mae Sot in Thailand in search of work. He has found work as a rose gardener, but it is irregular and the days he works he earns 60 Thai Baht (US$1.90). Chi Ko Oo’s family live in a boarding house set up for Burmese migrant workers. Their family share one small room and are given some food when they cannot afford it. This situation is common for many Burmese families living in Thailand as migrant workers. What makes Chi Ko Oo’s family different is that Chi Ko Oo has suffered a debilitating heart condition since he was born.

Chi Ko Oo’s mother, Ma Lay Khaing, knew that he had health problems as soon as he was born. She took him to a hospital in Burma but did not have enough money to see a doctor and the Burmese Government does not provide free health care.  The cost for medical treatment is well beyond the means of most Burmese people, including Chi Ko Oo’s family.

Chi Ko Oo is now 7 years old and has not had any medical treatment. He continues to have difficulty breathing and is often tired. Although he is in constant need of sleep, Ma Lay Khaing said her son has difficult sleeping as he often wakes up short of breath and is afraid. Chi Ko Oo has severe cyanosis (blue from lack of oxygen), which is apparent as soon as you see him.

At the bordering house in Mae Sot a neighbor noticed that Chi Ko Oo was a very quiet child and would sit by himself and not play with the other children. The neighbor also noticed that Chi Ko Oo was constantly blue, especially his lips. The neighbor knew that Chi Ko Oo could receive free medical treatment at Mae Tao Clinic and told his mother. Upon hearing about the free clinic his mother arranged to bring him in to be assessed. Chi Ko Oo presented at Mae Tao Clinic in September 2006. The medics knew straight away that Chi Ko Oo had a heart condition due to his blue hands and lips and his labored breathing. However, Mae Tao Clinic does not have the resources to diagnose or treat cardiac patients like Chi Ko Oo’s. The only chance to have his heart condition diagnosed and treated is to be referred to a major hospital, such as in Chiang Mai. His Father, a migrant worker on a gardener’s wage, cannot afford the hospital transfer and treatment.

Chi Ko Oo has been referred to the Burma Children Medical Fund (BCMF) but at this stage BCMF does not have the funds to refer Chi Ko Oo to Chiang Mai. BCMF are seeking financial support from any generous individuals or organisations to help Chi Ko Oo as it is unclear how long he will survive if his heart condition is left untreated.

Child’s Dream have kindly agreed to sponsor Chi Ko Oo’s surgery

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