The Sri Sathya Sai Global Council marked its 100-year milestone with a significant boost to Fiji’s health system, delivering a brand-new ambulance valued at $159,000 along with $75,000 in medical equipment. The handover, held at the Girmit Centre in Lautoka, was witnessed by Assistant Minister for Health and Medical Services Penioni Ravunawa and Minister for Employment, Productivity and Workplace Relations Agni Deo Singh.
The ambulance is set to bolster emergency response services in Fiji’s Western Division, bringing faster, more reliable care to rural and maritime communities that often face barriers to urgent health services. Ravunawa commended the Council’s humanitarian work, highlighting its alignment with the government’s Universal Health Coverage agenda and the constitutional right to health for all Fijians. He also acknowledged international medical teams conducting free camps across Sigatoka, Ba, Tavua, and Rakiraki, stating that “service to humanity is service to God.”
As the Global Council enters its second century, the Ministry of Health emphasized the importance of continued partnerships to build a stronger and healthier Fiji.
This donation sits within a broader tapestry of Sai-affiliated initiatives in Fiji. Similar articles have highlighted scholarships offered to Fijian healthcare professionals through the Sri Madhusudan Sai Institute of Medical Sciences and Research in Muddenahali, India, with five nurses from the Sri Sathya Sai Sanjeevani Children’s Hospital among the first recipients. These scholarships, provided at no cost, aim to elevate local medical skills and patient care. In addition, collaborations with the Healing Little Hearts Foundation UK and international medical teams have facilitated life-saving pediatric heart surgeries for children from Fiji and nearby Pacific Island nations.
Beyond these Sai-led efforts, Fiji has seen other health sector philanthropy, including the Vodafone ATH Fiji Foundation’s funding to upgrade Rakiraki Hospital’s ambulance bay and entrance, and Japan’s donation of ambulances to Rewa, reflecting a wider community commitment to improving emergency care and healthcare infrastructure across the country.
This centennial donation underscores the ongoing push toward stronger emergency services and universal health access in Fiji. It also highlights the value of sustained international collaboration and charitable support in fortifying the nation’s health resilience, particularly for remote communities. A positive trajectory is evident, with continued partnerships and capacity-building expected to enhance care for Fiji’s people.
Summary: The centennial gift of an ambulance and medical equipment from the Sri Sathya Sai Global Council strengthens Fiji’s emergency response capabilities and complements a broader pattern of international and local health investments, including scholarships for healthcare workers and pediatric heart surgeries, signaling hopeful progress for the country’s health system.
Commentary: The move demonstrates how targeted philanthropic support can fill critical gaps in rural health delivery. For maximum impact, ongoing maintenance, staff training, and a clear plan for long-term funding will be essential to ensure the ambulance remains a reliable lifesaving resource for years to come.
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