A 13-year-old girl who captured national attention with an urgent plea for treatment has returned to Fiji after undergoing a sight-saving operation in India, her family and supporters confirmed this week. Giya Geetanglie Prasad underwent an amniotic membrane grafting surgery earlier this year after a public appeal sought $5,000 to cover travel and medical costs; Kontiki Finance ultimately provided the full $5,000 donation that enabled the trip.
The case first drew public attention late last year when The Fiji Times published an appeal describing the family’s struggle to find specialised treatment overseas so Giya could continue her education in the 2026 academic year. Kontiki Finance’s contribution, confirmed by the company this month, paid for the costs associated with travel and the procedure. “When we first read Giya’s story, we knew we wanted to help in whatever way we could,” said Kontiki Finan Group HR manager Leeanne Dalton. “Today, seeing her return home after a successful surgery reminds us why corporate responsibility matters.”
Amniotic membrane grafting is used to repair and protect the ocular surface and can be crucial for restoring vision or preventing further deterioration; medical teams carried out the operation in India earlier this year. Giya’s mother, Evlin Ashika Devi, expressed deep gratitude to Kontiki Finance and the wider public for responding to the family’s appeal. “We are extremely thankful to Kontiki Finance and everyone who supported us,” Ms Devi said. “The contribution made a huge difference in helping us get to India for Giya’s treatment. Seeing her return safely after a successful operation is a blessing.”
Ms Devi told reporters that Giya began experiencing eye problems at the age of six, initially suffering swollen eyes and redness in the eye lens before symptoms progressed to itchiness and pain. Despite multiple medications, the condition worsened over the years, prompting the search for specialised care not available locally. Doctors who treated Giya in India have advised that she will need to return in September for another procedure aimed at continuing the improvement of her condition.
The latest development offers a reprieve for the family and highlights ongoing gaps in access to specialised ophthalmic services in Fiji. The fundraising drive and Kontiki Finance’s full donation underscore a pattern seen in other recent cases where overseas treatment is required for complex conditions. For Giya, the successful operation and planned follow-up provide a clearer path to resuming normal school life next year, a primary concern cited by her mother during the public appeal.
As Giya recovers at home, the family and medical advisers will monitor her progress ahead of the September return to India. For now, the combination of community support and corporate assistance has given the teenage girl a second chance at protecting her eyesight and continuing her education.
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