GEORGE TOWN, Tues: Two young heart patients need a total of RM52,000 for corrective heart surgery. Ng Yong Seng, 22 moths old, has a ventricular septal defect in his heart and doctors are recommending an open heart surgery costing RM22,000. Hepshibah Jayabalan, four, suffers fro ma complex congenital cyanotic heart disease, and needs RM30,000 for corrective surgery. She had earlier undergone palliative surgery for another heart surgery in 1998. Penang Adventist Hospital CEO Ted Mohr said heart surgeries done at the hospital are reasonably priced, as it is a non-profit hospital "We have not turned down any children since 1987," he said adding that 99 adults and 76 children have received such surgeries since 1998. He said that the hospital has a heart fund called the Penang Adventist Hospital Heart Patient Fund which it uses to sponsor part or the entire cost of the operation.

Yong Seng’s father, Ng Poh Kee is an odd job worker and earns RM800 a month, while his wife, Luan Seok is a housewife expecting another child. Ng is presently living with his brother who is helping them financially. Hepshibah’s mother glory Pamela, is working as a hotel receptionist is Sitiawan and is separated from her husband. The hospital’s heart patient fund chairman, Lim Chooi Eng, appealed to the public to sponsor the two children fro the operation. Those interested can send cheques to the hospital at 465, Jalan Burmah, 10350 Penang. They can also call Lim at 012-4931726 for more information.