Ensuring children get healthy start

"We identified 21 children this time. Eleven of them will return with us to Mudanjiang for surgery, while the others will be scheduled for treatment later," says Li.

By the end of 2024, nine out of the 11 children had already undergone successful surgery. The youngest in this group was 4 years old, while the eldest 15.

Jin Zhongqiang, deputy director of the hospital's cardiovascular surgery department, says that while the economic conditions in Xizang have become better, the residents' health awareness still needs to improve. "We hope that through broader health education, we can raise awareness about congenital heart disease and the importance of screening," Jin says.