Pyin Thein
Pyin Thein Han has a heart problem. His official diagnosis is Dextrocardia, with Situs inverse, a double outlet right ventricle, a ventricular septal defect and pulmonary atresia. He is 12 years old, and is of Mon ethnicity and he is from Pa Lu Jonn Chaung Zone Township in Burma. Pyin Thein Han’s mother brought him to Mae Tao Clinic (MTC) because he had a heart problem. It took them 10 hours by car to get to MTC and it is cost them 10,000 kyat (US$10) each. His other says life is so difficult for the family because of Pyin Thein Han’s health problem – they do not have enough money for him to get treatment. She says that it was such a long journey to get to MTC and they were not even sure if the clinic can help them. His mother is very apprehensive about her child’s future. Pyin Thein Han’s parents run a photo shop in their township and they earn 100,000 kyat (US$100) per month – however, out of this they need to cover all their needs including for food, the children’s school costs and other expenses. Pyin Thein Han has two younger sisters and they all go to school. His mother says that they have no way of paying for the surgery that Pyin Thein Han needs to live a healthy life.
Pyin Thein Han’s mother has noticed her child’s health problem since birth. She says the child is often sick. He has difficulty breathing and a cough. He often has a fever and he has cyanosis (blue colouring on his body). When the child was two years old, he had a chest x-ray and was diagnosed with a heart problem. His mother regularly brings him to a clinic in Burma, normally twice per month, however the doctor there has not been able to help them with the child’s condition. Three years ago his mother brought him to Rangoon Hospital as he had a brain abscess. Whilst there he had many investigations and an operation. It cost the family a lot of money to pay for his medical cost and now they cannot afford any further treatment for him. The family has a relative who lives in Myawaddy on the Burmese side of the Thai-Burma border, close to MTC, who told them to bring their child to the clinic. The relative told them that the clinic would help them for free.
Pyin Thein Han says he feels tired and is not eating well. He says he also feels sad because he cannot play with his friends.
Pyin Thein Han’s mother hopes to see him get better so that he can continue his schooling. She says that after he finishes school he will be able to do whatever he wants in life. Pyin Thein Han says he hopes to become a photographer in the future.
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