The Sunyani Methodist Diocese has presented a GH¢14,000 cheque to Vivian Asare, 14 year- old student at the Kukoum local Methodist Junior High School to undergo a surgical operation.

Vivian was diagnosed with Severe Mitral Valve Incompetence, a heart condition in which one of the heart valves is defective and she is to undergo open heart surgery at the National Cardiothoracic Centre.

The total cost of the surgery, anaesthesia, intensive care and ward stay is estimated at GH¢28,000 with the Ghana Heart Foundation bearing 50 per cent of the cost.

Reverend Kofi Asare Bediako, Methodist Bishop of the Diocese who made the presentation, said it was part of the church's social responsibility.

He explained that the diocese was touched by the plight of the victim and decided to support her to undergo the surgery.

Madam Mary Opoku, the patients’ grandmother thanked the diocese for the gesture.

She said Vivian's mother is dead and since she was born the family had not been able to trace her father.

Meanwhile, Vivian has also been diagnosed with Scordiosis (hunchback) which she needs additional GH¢10,000 to undergo another surgical operation.