Sometimes, the greatest strength is found in the smallest of bodies. This is the story of Abelia, an eleven-year-old girl from Indonesia who has been fighting a congenital heart condition since birth. But this is not a story of sorrow; it is one of hope, of her parents' unwavering resilience, and of the love and support that came together to give her a new chance at life.

A Lifelong Battle, A Family's Unwavering Hope

Abelia was born with Tricuspid Atresia, a rare congenital heart defect where the heart's tricuspid valve fails to develop properly. This condition, affecting only about two in every 1,000 newborns, causes oxygenated and deoxygenated blood to mix, leading to a lack of oxygen in the body. This left Abelia with purple lips and nails and a constant state of weakness. Just three days after her birth, she was transferred to Harapan Kita Hospital, beginning a long and arduous medical journey.

Her attending physician, Dr. Aditya Agita Sembiring, explained that Abelia's treatment required three major surgeries. The first was completed in 2016, and the second in 2020 after long delays due to the pandemic. The final and most critical stage, the Fontan procedure, was successfully performed in April 2025, allowing her heart to pump only oxygenated blood and dramatically improving her circulation.

Throughout this journey, her parents remained steadfast. "The hardest part wasn't the physical exhaustion, but the mental test," said her father, Haprizal Aaman. "But my wife and I agreed to take it one step at a time. We knew that complaining wouldn't solve anything."

A New Hurdle and a Timely Connection

After the final surgery, a new challenge emerged. Abelia developed an abnormally slow heart rate, a dangerous condition that could cause her to faint at any moment if her brain didn't receive enough blood flow. Doctors recommended implanting a permanent dual-chamber pacemaker, a safer device that wouldn't restrict her activities.

For Abelia's family, the cost was an insurmountable obstacle. The pacemaker and surgery amounted to 55 million Indonesian Rupiah (nearly 3,400 USD), a sum far beyond their means, as it was not covered by the national health insurance that had paid for her previous three surgeries. Haprizal works as a quality control officer at a feed factory, earning less than Jakarta's minimum wage, while his wife is a homemaker caring for their three children, with Abelia being the eldest.

It was then that their doctor suggested they seek help from the Tzu Chi Foundation in Indonesia, which had assisted many families in similar situations. After they submitted their application for medical aid, the family received good news within two short weeks: Tzu Chi would cover the full cost of the surgery and the pacemaker.

"When we heard the news, my wife and I burst into tears of joy," Haprizal said, his eyes welling up. "Without Tzu Chi's help, we truly didn't know what we would do."

The volunteer who handled their case, Suhermin Kusuma, was deeply moved by the family's spirit. "Initially, Mr. Haprizal offered to cover part of the cost because he had saved some money for Abelia's medical care," she explained. "When he learned that Tzu Chi would provide full assistance, he could use his savings for Abelia's future check-ups and recovery, as this medical journey is not yet over."

A Heartbeat Restored, A Future Reimagined

On April 10, the surgery was a success. The permanent pacemaker was implanted, and in what Dr. Aditya called "a miracle," the device was a power-saving model expected to last ten to fifteen years without needing a battery change, far longer than the typical three to five years.

Today, Abelia is a different child. She can run and play freely like her peers. Her oxygen levels are stable, her complexion is rosy, and she is full of smiles and energy as she plays with her younger siblings. Though she will need to take medication for the rest of her life, her path is now much lighter and freer than it has ever been.

On May 16, five volunteers accompanied Abelia and her family to the hospital for a follow-up. They believe she will grow up to be a remarkable person. Perhaps one day, she will fulfill Dr. Aditya's hope and become a pediatric cardiologist herself. After all, no one understands the strength it takes to fight this battle better than she does.

Her father looked at his eldest daughter with a smile of relief. "The most important thing now is that she can stay healthy and be with me as I grow old," he said. "I just hope she grows up to be a strong and upright person. That's enough for me."

Written by Metta Wulandari

Source: 印尼慈濟醫療援助 讓小女孩的心跳繼續跳動