East-West Collaboration in Medical Aid: Bringing “Zero-Burden” New Life to Children in Remote Regions
Congenital heart disease (CHD), the "number one killer" of children under five in China, sees approximately 150,000 to 200,000 new cases annually. Tragically, about 30% of these children miss their optimal window for treatment due to financial hardship. In remote western regions like Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in Gansu, the situation is even more dire. Hampered by a lack of medical resources, incomplete screening systems, and poor transportation, the early detection and treatment rates there are less than half the national average.
But hope is now crossing mountains and seas.
The national East-West Collaboration initiative is writing a warm answer to this challenge. Since the launch of the new round of pairing assistance, Tianjin has been matched with Gansu. From industrial cooperation to talent exchange, and from education to medical support, a trans-provincial safety net for people's livelihoods is being woven tighter and warmer.
The recent mission by the SY Charity Foundation and TEDA International Cardiovascular Hospital ("TEDA Hospital") serves as a vivid microcosm of how East-West medical collaboration is taking root in remote areas.
From Gannan to Tianjin: A "Green Channel" Spanning 1,700 Kilometers
This past March, a life-saving relay spanning 1,700 kilometers quietly began.
On March 19, the SY Charity Foundation, in partnership with TEDA Hospital, formed a specialized medical screening team that traveled deep into Gannan to conduct free CHD screenings. The team performed cardiac auscultation and echocardiograms on 45 local children aged 0 to 14, ultimately identifying five children who met the surgical criteria for congenital heart disease.
The SY Charity Foundation covers all surgical costs for the diagnosed children. Together with TEDA Hospital, they have established an exclusive "CHD Rescue Green Channel," ensuring families in remote areas receive medical treatment with "zero burden and zero waiting." Currently, 16 children from Gansu have arrived in Tianjin to undergo free surgical procedures.
On April 14, representatives from the SY Charity Foundation visited TEDA Hospital to bring comfort items and blessings to the children. In the wards, the innocent smiles of the children and the rekindled hope in their parents' eyes became the warmest scenes of the spring. Wei Xiangkai, Head of the Organizational Construction Department of the Tianjin Binhai New Area Federation of Industry and Commerce, Wu Na, Chairperson of the SY Charity Foundation, and volunteers participated in this heartwarming visit.
3-Year-Old Zhuoma: From "Open Chest" to "Minimally Invasive"—A Turn of Fate for One Heart
Three-year-old Tibetan girl Zhuoma hails from Xiahe County, Gannan. Born with a ventricular septal defect (VSD) in the membranous portion of her heart, local doctors initially advised observation, citing her young age and the possibility of spontaneous healing.
However, during a high fever, doctors suggested further evaluation. Her family took her to hospitals in Lanzhou, where the recommendation was daunting: open-heart surgery. For a child barely over a year old, the thought of such a major operation left the family hesitant and heartbroken. The surgery was delayed, and the days turned into agonizing waits.
In early 2026, Zhuoma’s family saw a notice for free CHD screenings on the official WeChat account of the Gannan Health Commission. With a "let’s give it a try" attitude, they signed up.
At the screening site on March 19, experts from TEDA Hospital delivered surprising news: Zhuoma’s condition likely did not require open-heart surgery and could be treated with a less traumatic interventional occlusion procedure. To their relief, the SY Charity Foundation would cover all costs, and the local health commission coordinated the entire journey.
"No need for open-heart surgery," her family repeated, tears welling up in their eyes.
Zhuoma has since successfully undergone surgery. A tiny heart is now beating with renewed vigor.
Haisen: A Three-Year Weight Lifted from a Family’s Heart
When Haisen was born, his dangerously low blood oxygen levels led to a diagnosis of Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA). That diagnosis felt like a sudden dark cloud pressing down on the family’s heart.
For the next few years, his family shuttled him between hospitals in Lanzhou. Doctors advised waiting due to his age. Every "wait and see" was a long period of torment for Haisen’s parents. They feared he might cry too hard, run too fast, or catch a cold—any small infection could worsen his fragile heart condition.
The turning point came in February 2026. Seeing the free screening notice online, Haisen’s father immediately contacted local officials to sign up. That evening, he rushed home without even locking his delivery truck to tell his family, "There’s hope! Experts from Tianjin are coming!"
On March 19, Haisen was unusually quiet as the stethoscope touched his chest. Experts from TEDA confirmed PDA but, unlike before, assured the family that it was treatable. The heavy stone hanging over their hearts finally began to settle.
Haisen has also completed his surgery successfully. The light of hope is shining bright for him.
Beyond Gannan: A Charity Report Card Spanning Mountains and Rivers
In truth, the Gannan mission is just one warm page in the SY Charity Foundation’s extensive medical aid efforts.
Over the years, the foundation has focused on "caring for children in distress," providing comprehensive support including screening, treatment, and post-operative care. By aligning each child’s physical condition with top-tier medical resources, they ensure timely access to advanced and appropriate surgeries. Their footprint has spread across Xinjiang, Qinghai, Gansu, Sichuan, and beyond, providing free screenings for nearly 2,000 children and successfully treating over 240 CHD patients. Every dispatch of a screening team means another group of children can escape the shadow of disease; every successful surgery represents a family reclaiming its hope for the future.
"We aren't just giving these children a healthy heart; we are giving them a fair starting line in life," said a representative from the SY Charity Foundation. "Every child deserves a healthy beginning. Through East-West medical collaboration, we aim to ensure no child loses their chance at treatment due to poverty or distance. The momentum of this collaboration allows us to deliver premium medical resources directly to those who need them most. We will continue on this path."
Let Love Cross Mountains and Seas: Western Healthcare Needs More Companions
In the wards of TEDA Hospital, children from Gannan are recovering one by one. Yet, across the nation, countless children in remote western regions remain trapped by information silos, transportation barriers, and financial strain.
Every tiny heartbeat deserves tender care. The SY Charity Foundation calls on society to pay attention to the imbalance between eastern and western development, the weak medical infrastructure in remote areas, and the lives waiting silently for rescue. Whether through a donation, volunteering, or simply sharing their story, you can become a force that changes a child's destiny.
