10-month-old Phatcharapol Raksawong, or Nong Fei Hong, is the youngest of three siblings born to Supachai and Anchalee. His father is unemployed because he has to take care of him since he was born. His mother works alone. She works for a private company and lives in Phang Nga Province. Nong was born at Phang Nga Hospital. After birth, Nong had to be taken to the NICU because he had low oxygen levels and was diagnosed with a ruptured upper and lower heart septum. After leaving the hospital, Nong was often sick and had to go in and out of the hospital frequently. Nong was also very small.

Most recently, Nong had to be hospitalized because he had pneumonia and heart failure. He had to be intubated and admitted to Phang Nga Hospital since October 2019. While being treated at the hospital, Nong’s condition did not improve because he also had an infection. The doctors at Phang Nga Hospital contacted the Heart Surgery Support Foundation to send Nong to Rajavithi Hospital for heart surgery.

Since the baby had to be intubated all the time, moving her to Bangkok for surgery by ambulance was quite risky because it took several hours to travel. Phang Nga Hospital coordinated with the National Institute of Emergency Medicine (NIEM) to ask for help by moving her by helicopter to reduce the travel time and for her safety.

Nong Fei Hong was transferred to Rajavithi Hospital for heart surgery on October 18, 2019. The transfer went smoothly and she underwent heart surgery on October 19, 2019. After the surgery, she was much better. She was less tired and drank more milk and rice. Nong Fei Hong stayed in the hospital for about 15 days before being able to go home.

Currently, she still has to go for follow-up check-ups at Vachira Phuket Hospital as scheduled by the doctor. Her mother said that her symptoms have improved a lot. Her weight has increased and she is cheerful and lively for her age. She hopes that she will be able to live her life like other children.