Tran Thi Thai
Thai is a 45 years old woman who lives in Thang Binh commune. Her family home is quite large and well-maintained, it was constructed by her brother, a businessman living and working in Saigon. However, a year ago, the wife of Thai’s brother his wife was involved in a traffic accident. The cost of her medical treatment depleted all of his resources, leaving him unable to help with Thai financially with any medical treatment.
Thai’s husband who is a farmer is being treated for Tuberculosis and is unable to work on a regular basis. Lately, the family income is mainly derived from the sale of sweet potatoes at a vegetable market in Danang. Thai transports two large wicker baskets of sweet potatoes, first on the back of her husband’s motorcycle to the main road, and then by local bus to Danang. Thai does this every day. Her daily income, after expenses, averages 50-70,000 VND ($2.50 - $3.50US).
Thai’s husband who is a farmer is being treated for Tuberculosis and is unable to work on a regular basis. Lately, the family income is mainly derived from the sale of sweet potatoes at a vegetable market in Danang. Thai transports two large wicker baskets of sweet potatoes, first on the back of her husband’s motorcycle to the main road, and then by local bus to Danang. Thai does this every day. Her daily income, after expenses, averages 50-70,000 VND ($2.50 - $3.50US).
Thai has four children. The youngest, a daughter, is 12 years old, and a student. Their elder children are all
living and working in Danang. However, she says, none of them are able to provide any financial assistance for
her treatment.
Last December, while carrying her produce to the market Thai became faint, and short of breath. At the
Danang hospital, tests revealed that she was suffering from severe valvular stenosis, and pulmonary
hypertension.
The cost of surgery to replace her mitral and tricuspid heart valves is 60 million VND ($3,000US). Insurance
will contribute 30 million VND ($1,500), the family have 20 million VND ($1000 USD), VNHIP contributed
10 million VND ($500 USD) the help Thai in her urgent condition.
The surgery was completed in Da Nang hospital. Thai is now doing well and backed to work to provide for
her family.
living and working in Danang. However, she says, none of them are able to provide any financial assistance for
her treatment.
Last December, while carrying her produce to the market Thai became faint, and short of breath. At the
Danang hospital, tests revealed that she was suffering from severe valvular stenosis, and pulmonary
hypertension.
The cost of surgery to replace her mitral and tricuspid heart valves is 60 million VND ($3,000US). Insurance
will contribute 30 million VND ($1,500), the family have 20 million VND ($1000 USD), VNHIP contributed
10 million VND ($500 USD) the help Thai in her urgent condition.
The surgery was completed in Da Nang hospital. Thai is now doing well and backed to work to provide for
her family.