International Medical Charity Delivers Love: Ms. Yang from Bolivia Heals Her Knee Injury

In the Tzu Chi care case from Bolivia, Ms. Yang Ya-ching’s right knee injury, which has remained untreated for decades, has significantly affected her mobility and daily life. In late February, she journeyed thousands of miles back to Taiwan specifically to undergo artificial joint replacement surgery at Taichung Tzu Chi Hospital, and her recovery showed good progress during her follow-up visit in March. Tzu Chi volunteers have continuously extended their love from Bolivia to Taiwan, providing care, companionship, and comfort along the way so that she could feel the warmth of humanity.

The 74-year-old Ms. Yang spent several decades pursuing her career in Bolivia, remaining single and busy with work. When she heard about Tzu Chi’s medical disaster relief activities in Santa Cruz, Bolivia, she would drive for over a dozen hours to help out and forged a strong bond with the Tzu Chi volunteers. Later, when her career was adversely affected by the global economic downturn, Tzu Chi brothers and sisters frequently reached out to offer their care.

Ms. Yang had an old injury in her right knee from her forties when she was organizing boxes in a warehouse and fell from a height. At that time, she paid little attention and did not seek further treatment, only taking medication to ease the pain when it flared up. In the past two years, her overseas Chinese neighbors, noticing her increasing difficulty in moving and frequent falls while using a cane, suggested that she return to Taiwan for treatment.

Ms. Yang’s bond with Tzu Chi deepened, and she took a flight of over twenty hours back to Taiwan to receive treatment at Taichung Tzu Chi Hospital. The orthopedic director, Dr. Chen Shih-Hao, found during his examination that the bone in her right knee had worn down and needed to be replaced with a new joint. On February 23, she underwent artificial joint surgery and was discharged smoothly a week later. Coincidentally, Sister Ke Cuijuan from Bolivia was in Taiwan handling affairs and took the opportunity to contact the Taichung Tzu Chi Hospital Humanities Office to care for Ms. Yang. In addition to the comforting company of social workers, the Taichung Tzu Chi Hospital Foundation provided medical subsidies to ensure that she had no further worries.

After the surgery, Ms. Yang temporarily rented a place in Taichung City for her recovery and took a taxi in a wheelchair to attend her follow-up appointments and change her dressings on schedule. She mentioned that she now practices walking often, although her calf still experiences some swelling and pain. Dr. Chen Shih-Hao inspected her wound and found it not yet stable, advising against the premature removal of the stitches, prescribing anti-inflammatory medication, and carefully reminding her to keep the wound clean.

The international medical charitable care provided by the Tzu Chi team has deeply moved Ms. Yang. She happily stated that Dr. Chen Shih-Hao’s medical skills are superb and he is truly an excellent physician. There are many people to whom she is grateful, and she is especially thankful for the care and assistance provided by Sister Ke Cuijuan. She feels that Taiwan is now warmer and more compassionate than before. Once her wound heals, Ms. Yang will return to Bolivia, carrying the abundant love of Tzu Chi, to continue pursuing her career.

(Text and images by Tang Chih-Bin)