It has left the newborn with respiratory problems and her mother says they would need $40,000.00 US dollars to get the procedure done.

But that may be overstated because routinely children with cardiac problem are treated for free under the ROTARY Club of Belize's "Gift of Life".

Rotary sent out a release today stating that it has been serving Belizean children diagnosed with cardiac problems for over thirty years.

Children referred for surgery with operable conditions - such as Chantel - are placed at various participating Centres mostly in the USA at no cost to the families.

Parents and guardians are asked to participate to their child's care ONLY to the extent that they can afford - generally passport, pocket money and visa fees.