Socialist Republic of Vietnam

HA NOI — Disabled Vietnamese-American engineer Do Van Du has financed the treatment of 320 poor children affected by hydrocephalus or fluid on the brain.

Born in Hue, Du lost an arm and a leg in an accident when he was 14. But he won a scholarship to study information technology at Washington University in 1971. For the past four years he has collected medical equipment for hospitals in Viet Nam.He has also organized the swapping of experience and technology between US and Vietnamese physicians.

His hydrocephalus project was organized with the help of US physicians and included the raising of money and equipment for treatment.The surgery costs about VND 3 million and post-surgical treatment about US$ 700 - more than most rural families can afford.

Du is also working for the establishment of an IT training centre for the disabled. Du, who says he wants to help the ill-fated, has called for organizations and individuals to give the disabled practical support so that they can integrate with the community.

Between 7,000 and 8,000 children suffer from hydrocephalus in Viet Nam. Their lives will be very short unless they are fitted with a shunt or flexible tube that diverts the flow of the fluid to other parts of the body where it can be absorbed.

Viet Nam News, July 12, 2005