Congenital Heart Diseases (CHD) still rank as one of the top 10 leading causes of pediatric morbidity and mortality in the Philippines, according to a Philippine Heart Center Journal. Its incidence of 5-10/1,000 live births is high among children with congenital anomalies.
If you are a parent with a child under this condition, it brings more emotional and financial burdens for the family. Moreover, children with congenital heart disease have a high risk to develop COVID-19, so the more that they should be cared for.
Celebrity mom Melissa De Leon-Joseph recalled the ordeal she went through when her son Enzo had to undergo open-heart surgery at a very young age of 10 months old.
“I had to stop working to take care of him,” shared Melissa during a recent virtual press conference of the Philippine Heart Association (PHA) on the occasion of National Children's Month with the theme, "New Normal na Walang Iwanan."
She continued: "It was really difficult for me to go through the ordeal. How do I take care of a child like that? I'm so grateful that I have a wonderful husband and very supportive. We were so lucky also to have a heart doctor for children. Along with my husband, we were journeying together."
During that moment of Enzo's surgery, Melissa made her child feel that she was there for him.
The financial challenge was also trying but her family was able to overcome it. "Pag may sakit ang anak mo, pinagkakautang-utang natin because he needs to be operated right away. We had to borrow money . . . But the Lord is so good. Malaki din po tulong ng mga doctor sa PHA."
Her son's surgery was very successful. Enzo, now 29 years old, lives a normal life. There's life after surgery. He's into basketball and boxing. He has no plans to enter showbiz but is more exposed to doing the business of his father. Likewise, he is being honed to be a businessman.
Melissa is the president of Project Pink Cancer Support Group and mom to three wonderful children.
Part of PHA’s advocacies is the Let’s do the 52100 daily - 5 servings of fruits and vegetables, 2 hours of screen time, 1 hour of moderate physical activity, no to sugary, sweetened beverages, no to smoking, no to secondhand smoke.
During the online event, it was also highlighted the Rights of Filipino Children (PD No. 603 Child and Youth Welfare code): The right to be born well, the right to basic needs, the right to play and enjoy their youth, and the right to live in a productive environment. (Ruby Asoy-Lebajo)