PENANG, Thurs.- It was a scene of contrasts at the Bayan Lepas International Airport today when six heart patients, aged between two and 11, from Cambodia bade farewell to the Penang Adventist Hospital staff.

Accompanied by their tearful mothers, the children, seemingly oblivious to the emotion-charged scene, ran about in good health and spirits.

Heart and vascular center manager Grace Lai said children arrived from Cambodia on Aug 23.

"They are part of a group of 45 children selected through a health screening process conducted in conjunction with the hospital’s "Gift Of Life" programme."

"Under this programme, children with operable heart conditions are selected to undergo surgery at the Penang Adventist Hospital," Lai said.

The children are to receive follow-up treatment at the Angkor hospital in Sim Reap, Cambodia.

The next batch of six patients are expected to arrive on Sep 25.

Also the farewell group were hospital public relations manager Cheah See Lin and development coordinator Rachel Phoon.