Courses to detect Cardiac defects early

       Starting next month, nurses and health workers at government hospitals and clinics across the country will be given training to help them detect cardiac problems in new-born babies - to help reduce high fatality rates.
       There are now 7,000-8,000 babies with congenital heart-related problems, or around 0.8-1.0 of the annual birth rate in Thailand.
       Without early detection and surgery before the babies are a year old, 20 per cent of them could die or suffer chronic heart diseases, the Cardiac Children Foundation of Thailand said yesterday.
       Foundation chairman Prof Bunchob Pongpanit said of those born with heart-related problems, 5 per cent of symptoms were curable while the remaining 95 per cent faced a risk of dying or having life-long defects. Therefore, early detection of symptoms and treatment was crucial to limit further complications.
       The first courses in the training programme, funded jointly by the National Health Security Office and a charity fund on behalf of late Princess Mother, would begin next month until all selected personnel across the country complete the courses.
       Training will include class lectures and basic practice at local health facilities. And a network of trained personnel will be built up to extend the task further.