Projects

Cu Chi Hydrocephalus Project

Hydrocephalus is also known as water on the brain. If a way is not opened for the water to flow through the system - the head continues to grow, resulting in a child who is incapable of functioning in any way.

The first time I saw a child with uncorrected hydrocephalus my heart ached and I became angry that this condition, which is so readily corrected, was left hidden in many third world countries. In fact, 50 years ago in this country there was no procedure and children were left to die. Those dying rooms exist in many countries today. To see a room full of cribs - with two babies in each one - who could be corrected - and do nothing is unthinkable.

Although the problem can be corrected in Saigon - there is a significant cost, and the families are so poor they cannot even get their child to the hospital. In the outlying areas the babies are not always diagnosed early enough.

The project is located in Cu Chi - about 1/2 hour from Saigon, where there is a high number of babies born with this condition. Some people connect hydrocephalus to agent orange - Cu Chi is an area that was defoliated many times because of the tunnels. One in 500 children will be diagnosed and there are between 7,000 and 8,000 children suffering in Vietnam today - with more being born each day.

The project is presented in three phases

1. Developing a building
2. Furnishings and equipment
3. Education, outreach, training for doctors, providing the surgery and after care
   
   Once in operation there are several organizations eager to provide volunteer doctors and medical teams to teach and provide other equipment and supplies - Physicians for Peace, Flying Doctors, etc.

For a full copy of the proposal please contact dawn@aidforkids.org or you may download a Powerpoint proposal here.

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