Mrs Ky Concerned For Children

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31276, 24 January 1967, Page 2

Mrs Ky Concerned For Children

The suffering of children in war-torn South Vietnam was described by Mrs Tuyet Mai Ky, wife of the South Vietnamese Prime Minister, on her arrival at Christchurch Airport yesterday.

“I recently held in my arms a little boy of three who was dying from hunger because his mother had been killed,” she said. “When you have a child of your own it is very distressing to see what is happening to our country’s children.”

The child was one of many war orphans taken into hospitals in the same plight taken into hospitals. But there were not enough beds for them, nor enough staff to care for them, nor enough doctors and medical supplies.

“I have seen so many children dying in the villages when I have been touring with my husband,” she said. Speaking softly in some-, what halting English, she| added: “I love children.” Mrs Ky said she was par-1

ticularly worried about the children who had been afflicted by poliomyelitis. Vaccine against the disease was used when possible, but parents of children in poor homes and villages did not understand about the protection.

When patients were brought into already overcrowded hospitals they could not be isolated and the disease spread. Mrs Ky is helping to build a special section at one of the children’s hospitals in Saigon for polio victims. “We are also building new orphanages,” she said. Asked how New Zealand women could help the, children and women of South Viet.

nam, she said: “We need so muck

“Speaking on behalf of the women of my country and myself, I want to say how much we appreciate any help from anyone. I want to thank you (in New Zealand) for what you have already done. But we do need more welfare workers and welfare services, more doctors and nurses and medicines—and clothes and toys for the children,” she said.

“So Many Toys”

On a recent visit to a children’s home in Australia, she had been surprised at the comforts provided for the children, Mrs Ky said. “They have so many toys—so much of everything—it was hard thinking about the children in our country. We cannot even give so many of them their needs,” she said.

All her country could hope for was that peace would come soon.

“Then we can live prosperously and as happily as you do here.” said Mrs Ky.