“Southern Congenital Heart Disease Pediatric Patient Assistance Center in Honor of Their Majesties’ Grace” Offered in honor of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej The Great and Her Majesty Queen Sirikit’s 72nd Anniversary Celebration
Each year, the Cardiology Unit, Department of Pediatrics, Songklanagarind Hospital provides care for approximately 3,500 pediatric patients with congenital heart disease in southern Thailand. Of these, around 300-500 cases require timely surgical or catheter-based treatment. However, many do not receive timely intervention, resulting in various complications such as chronic pulmonary edema, pulmonary hypertension, brain abscesses, paralysis/plegia, etc. These significantly increase surgical risks. Some patients unfortunately pass away from complications before receiving treatment.
Therefore, the Foundation for Pediatric Heart Surgery Support’s initiative to provide free surgery for 999 congenital heart disease patients is an excellent opportunity to increase access to care. The Pediatric Cardiology Unit, Department of Pediatrics, Songklanagarind Hospital established the “Southern Congenital Heart Disease Pediatric Patient Assistance Center in Honor of Their Majesties’ Grace” to further support patients’ access to treatment, especially pediatric patients from the 14 southern provinces.
The Center comprises:
– Pediatric Cardiology Unit, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Songklanagarind Hospital
– Naradhiwas Rajanagarindra Heart Center, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University
– Foundation for Pediatric Heart Surgery Support
– Encouragement from the Heart Team – Gathering volunteers to assist congenital heart disease patients in the three southern border provinces
The Center will coordinate communication and patient referral systems to Songklanagarind Hospital or the Foundation for Pediatric Heart Surgery Support in Bangkok. It will also organize medical teams to provide screening at network hospitals in nearby provinces every other month. Additionally, the Center works closely with provincial governors and public health offices to disseminate information and conduct preliminary screening.
Implementation Period: October 2012 – September 2013
– Compile waiting lists and provide surgeries for congenital heart disease patients within 6 months
– Seek assistance from volunteers, local organizations, border patrol police, etc. in the three southern border provinces to form the Encouragement from the Heart Team to facilitate treatment access at Songklanagarind Hospital or the Foundation for Pediatric Heart Surgery Support in Bangkok for congenital heart disease patients from the three southern border provinces
– Publicize the project and notify network hospitals and other hospitals in the southern region to refer pediatric patients on appointed screening dates
– Organize medical teams from Songklanagarind Hospital for screening at provincial hospitals, coordinating with local and nearby hospitals to inform parents to bring their children on scheduled screening dates
For more details, please contact:
Southern Congenital Heart Disease Pediatric Patient Assistance Center in Honor of Their Majesties’ Grace
Dr. Supaporn Roimonee, Pediatric Cardiologist
Dr. Nakorn Tanklang, Pediatric Cardiologist
Dr. Karnrat Wongwaithaveewong, Pediatric Cardiologist
Ms. Supalak Chandrak, Head Nurse of the Center
Ms. Pimpan O-thongkam, Center Officer
Fax: 074-429618 www.saveblueheart.org, www.pcsf.org
