STORY: Lao children receive CHD screening, treatment by Chinese medical team
DATELINE: June 23, 2023
LENGTH: 00:02:03
LOCATION: Vientiane
CATEGORY: HEALTH

SHOTLIST:
1. various of the opening ceremony
2. various of the speech
3. various of the screening
4. SOUNDBITE 1 (Lao): SOMPHONE SENGSULICHANH, Mother of a patient
5. SOUNDBITE 2 (Lao): SIVILAY VANNAVONG, Mother of a six-year-old patient
6. various of the surgery
7. SOUNDBITE 3 (Lao): CHANDAVONE SOUKKASEUM, Medical expert in the pediatric department of Mahosot Hospital
8. various of the screening in the Aphai primary school

STORYLINE:

A five-day congenital heart disease (CHD) screening and treatment program has been carried out by a Chinese medical team in Laos, while children with surgical indications will receive free treatment.

An official opening ceremony was held in Lao capital Vientiane on Tuesday.
   
The humanitarian aid program, namely "the Laos-China Children CHD Screening and Treatment," themed "Belt and Road, connecting the people's hearts" is launched by China Charity Federation and southwestern China's Yunnan Province, which borders Laos in its south.
   
A mother of one of the patients from Bolikhamxay province in central Laos told Xinhua that her child had a breathing problem since he was four months old.

SOUNDBITE 1 (Lao): SOMPHONE SENGSULICHANH, Mother of a patient
"Because we live in the countryside, getting a chance for treatment means a lot to me. And I certainly trust in Chinese medical experts."
   
A mother of a six-year-old patient living in Vientiane said that her daughter had been diagnosed with CHD since she was born.
   
SOUNDBITE 2 (Lao): SIVILAY VANNAVONG, Mother of a six-year-old patient
"This is the first time for my daughter to have surgery. I really hope that she will be safe."
   
She expressed gratitude to the Chinese medical team for providing her daughter a chance to live like a normal child.

A medical expert in the pediatric department of Mahosot Hospital told Xinhua that the medical team used the Coronary Artery Angiography technique for the surgery.

SOUNDBITE 3 (Lao): CHANDAVONE SOUKKASEUM, Medical expert in the pediatric department of Mahosot Hospital
"This is a very helpful technique, and most people feel fine a day or so after having the procedure."

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Vientiane.
(XHTV)