The Shen Yang and Shen Yuet Children’s Heart Foundation recently paid a visit to the National Cardiothoracic Centre, announcing its commitment to funding at least 30 surgeries for children with congenital heart defects before the end of this year.
Since its inception in 2023, the foundation has funded approximately 41 surgeries at the Centre. Founded by Mr. YC Shen, Global Chairman of Sunda International Group of Companies, the foundation aims to provide corrective surgeries for 20 children in urgent need each year, at a cost of $6,000 per child.
During the visit, Mr. Shen expressed his family’s deep interest in supporting families with children suffering from heart conditions who cannot afford medical care. Mr. Shen, who has personally experienced the challenges of having a child born with a congenital heart defect, was moved to action by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s advocacy for children with heart disease. He assured the Centre’s management that the foundation is committed to supporting children’s heart surgeries at the facility.
Dr. Kow Entsua-Mensah, Director of the Centre, commended the foundation, recognizing it as the corporate body that has funded the most surgeries at the Centre. He praised the foundation for its remarkable support of healthcare for children and urged other corporate bodies and institutions to emulate their generosity. Dr. Entsua-Mensah emphasized the Centre’s vision of a future where financial constraints do not hinder access to necessary surgeries.
Mr. Herbert Mensah also praised the foundation for exceeding its initial targets of funding 20 surgeries per year over the next decade. He expressed inspiration from the actions of Mr. Shen and the foundation.
Parents seeking financial support for their children’s surgeries can apply to the Shen Yang and Shen Yuet Children’s Heart Foundation at www.shenschildrensheartfoundation.org for assistance.
The visit included meetings with senior management and consultants of the Centre, as well as with beneficiaries of the sponsorship. The foundation’s representatives visited patients currently receiving care, met with pending beneficiaries, and distributed T-shirts, food, drinks, company products, cash, and certificates of bravery to all children present. The tour also included a comprehensive visit to the entire Centre.
New Initiatives Announced:
1.Sponsorship of an additional 30 children for 2024, bringing the year’s sponsorship by the foundation to 50, and a total of 71 since the start of the partnership.
2.Procurement and donation of a new autoclave machine and water treatment system for the theatre.
3.Donation of assorted cleaning products to the Centre.
4.Donation of a 40-foot container for additional storage space at the Centre.