Amid Myanmar’s political upheaval, the Japanese medical NGO Japan Heart is extending a vital lifeline to Aung Khant Moe, a young boy grappling with a rare congenital condition.

Aung Khant Moe, a 2-year-old from Myanmar’s north-western Sagaing region, was born with omphalocele, a birth defect of the abdominal wall wherein an infant’s intestines, liver, or other organs stick outside of the belly through the navel. Myanmar’s medical system, already stretched thin since the 2021 military coup, struggles to provide the necessary surgical intervention for this rare condition.

“With doctors and nurses across Myanmar striking against the coup, state-run hospitals are incapacitated. This leaves Aung Khant Moe bereft of his vital medical treatment,” a Japan Heart representative disclosed.

In a commendable display of international cooperation, Japanese and Cambodian medical experts plan to move Aung Khant Moe to the esteemed Japan Heart Children’s Medical Centre in Oudong district, Kandal province.

“Aung Khant Moe is set for surgery at the Japan Heart Children’s Medical Centre next week,” announced a Japan Heart Facebook post.

Established in 2004 by Japanese physician Hideto Yoshioka, Japan Heart is a volunteer-driven global health organisation, with a dedicated team providing medical services in Myanmar, Cambodia, and Laos.

This initiative embodies not just the chance for Aung Khant Moe’s recovery, but also the strength of global unity and compassion in overcoming adversity.

Japan Heart appealed, “By sharing his story and raising awareness, you help us muster funds and support for his recovery. Every contribution, no matter its size, can significantly impact his life”.

Since its 2018 inauguration in Cambodia, the Japan Heart Children’s Medical Centre has provided outpatient services to over 16,000 children and treated over 60,000 patients. With general, cancer and adult wards, the centre sees 400-600 inpatients monthly, performing around 1,380 general surgeries yearly. It has also become a referral hub for cancer patients across the region.

Aung Khant Moe’s transfer from Myanmar to Cambodia heralds Japan Heart’s move to establish the Asia Children’s Medical Centre, broadening their service reach. Slated for a 2025 launch in Takhmao, Kandal province, the centre will focus on paediatric care, including specialised paediatric cancer treatment.

Yoko Fujita, communication officer of Japan Heart, affirmed the organisation’s commitment to serving more patients in Cambodia and extending their reach across Southeast Asia. He added that Japan Heart pledges to transform the life of brave Aung Khant Moe, a young boy who serves as a beacon of hope for countless others facing similar challenges.

Donations to support Aung Khant Moe’s surgery and journey from Myanmar to Cambodia can be made through Japan Heart.