The journey "Heart for heart" in Da Nang of a German professor and his wife

On March 18, Secretary of the Da Nang City Party Committee Nguyen Van Quang presented the "Dedication to Da Nang" award to Professor Erich Johann Lejeune and his wife, Dr. Irène Lejeune. This is a recognition of their persistent efforts in supporting the city's health sector, especially in treating congenital heart disease in children.

Also on this occasion, Da Nang Hospital held the opening ceremony of the intervention room equipped with the Azurion 7 digital subtraction angiography (DSA) system, sponsored by the non-governmental organization "Heart for the heart".

Da Nang City leaders presented the "Dedication to Da Nang" award to Professor Erich Johann Lejeune. (Photo: Da Nang Hospital)

The organization "Heart for Heart" was founded by Mr. and Mrs. Lejeune in Germany in 2003 with the aim of helping the poor. In 2006, the organization received a call from Da Nang Hospital about three cases of children with congenital heart disease in need of intervention. The couple immediately agreed, opening a nearly 20-year journey accompanying the Da Nang health sector.

Since 2006, the organization "Heart for Heart" has supported millions of euros in modern medical equipment and transferred cardiovascular intervention techniques, helping more than 350,000 children to be screened for congenital heart disease and nearly 3,000 timely surgeries.

In the first year, Mr. and Mrs. Lejeune sponsored the first Digital Anatomy (DSA) system, marking an important milestone in the diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular diseases at Da Nang Hospital. In 2013, they continued to support the establishment of the Department of Congenital & Structural Heart Disease, and sponsored the second DSA system worth nearly 27 billion VND, opening up life opportunities for thousands of children and patients with congenital heart disease. In 2024, in response to the increasing need for treatment, Mr. and Mrs. Lejeune and the organization "Heart for Heart" continued to sponsor more than 1 million EUR (equivalent to more than 27 billion VND) to equip the third DSA system.

Not only did they sponsor equipment, Professor Lejeune and his wife also acted as a bridge to bring the world's leading medical experts to support Da Nang Hospital. These experts directly trained and provided professional guidance in the early stages of establishing the congenital and structural heart department, contributing to improving the quality of treatment at the hospital."

Sharing with the press about his volunteer journey, Professor Lejeune recounted that he had experienced poverty as a childhood witnessing the brutality of war. At the age of 24, when he saw the photo of the "Napalm Girl" with panicked eyes running away from bombs in Trang Bang, Tay Ninh, he joined hundreds of Germans in protesting the war, calling for peace for Vietnam.

Later, after he had succeeded in the semiconductor business, he and his wife asked themselves: “What are we making money for?” At that moment, they received a call from Da Nang Hospital, and they decided to stay in Vietnam.

“We and you are like a family. After nearly 20 years working with Da Nang Hospital, we feel that this is a country of love,” Professor Lejeune shared.

Looking ahead, Mr. Lejeune revealed special plans for 2026 - the 20th anniversary of cooperation with Da Nang Hospital and his wife's 80th birthday. On this occasion, they plan to sponsor another DSA system and implement a project to support disadvantaged mothers and children when treating heart disease.

In addition, Professor Lejeune - currently an honorary lecturer at the School of Medicine and Pharmacy, University of Danang - wishes to be an "ambassador" to connect the school with training facilities and medical centers in Germany, opening up many cooperation opportunities in the future.

Speaking at the event, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Da Nang City Le Quang Nam expressed: "The noble heart of the couple not only left a deep mark in the medical sector but is also a symbol of love and sharing with the community".

In addition to Da Nang, the organization "Heart for Heart" also supports free treatment of congenital heart disease for thousands of poor children in the Mekong Delta, Central Highlands and many other remote areas. At the same time, the organization also sponsors modern equipment for hospitals, including the interventional cardiac catheterization room at the Cardiovascular Center of the University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City.