BAYAN LEPAS, Fri: Four Cambodian children with heart problems will be given a new lease of life, thanks to medical sponsorship by Rotary International’s Gift of Life 2 project and Penang Adventist Hospital.

The children, aged between nine months and 13 years arrived in Penang yesterday for open heart surgery to be conducted over the next few days.

Hospital president Teddric Jon Mohr said in two weeks, the children will be on their way back to Cambodia.

The Gift Of Life 2 is a joint project between the Rotary Club of Penang and the hospital to enable children between one and 18 years to receive free open heart surgery.

"The hospital provides medical services for this project at a substantially subsidised fee and it has its own heart fund," he said.

Mohr said the project gives priority to Malaysians, over children from South East Asian nations.

To-date, four Malaysians, two Indonesians and 16 Cambodian children have been successfully operated on at the hospital under the project.

"Two more Malaysians will undergo heart surgery under the project later this year," he said.

Rotary club president Nutan Shah said more donations are needed for the project to continue sponsoring these unfortunate children.

Donations, which are tax exempted, could be made to The Rotary Club of Penang, Gift of Life 2 Account, c/o 7, Kelawei road, 10250 Penang.

For details, call Mrs Lim at 04-2266331 or Lim Chooi Eng at 04-2261133.