Pacific Specialist Healthcare Hospital (PSH) in Nadi is optimistic about welcoming a larger number of Australian visitors following Fiji Airways’ announcement to launch direct flights from Cairns to Nadi starting April 10, 2025.
Parvish Kumar, the founder and CEO of PSH, emphasized that as a modern 100-bed specialist facility located conveniently close to Nadi International Airport, the hospital is poised to support the Fijian government’s initiative to establish the country as an appealing destination for medical tourism.
Kumar expressed enthusiasm about aligning PSH’s objectives with the government’s vision, stating that the newly introduced thrice-weekly flights—scheduled every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday and taking just over four and a half hours—will provide Australians with direct access to exceptional medical care upon their arrival in Nadi.
He highlighted that Australian tourists, who are the largest group of visitors to Fiji annually, enjoy visa-free travel for stays under four months, which is an additional benefit for those seeking medical services abroad.
PSH is prepared to offer medical procedures to Australians at significantly lower costs than what they would typically incur in their home country. For instance, a heart bypass surgery may cost around $100,000 in Australia, while PSH can provide similar procedures at a fraction of that expense.
Kumar also pointed out the pressing health issue of cardiovascular disease, which is Australia’s leading cause of death—accounting for one in every four fatalities. In 2021 alone, cardiovascular disease was the underlying cause of 42,700 deaths, illustrating the urgency for Australians to seek timely and cost-effective medical intervention.
Furthermore, Richard Barker, the CEO of Cairns Airport, praised the new flights as an opportunity to enhance tourism in the South Pacific, whether for vacationers or those visiting friends and family, noting that Fiji Airways’ full Oneworld membership will expand connectivity across North America.
Overall, this development presents a promising outlook for both PSH and the broader Fiji tourism sector, as it not only bolsters medical tourism but also enhances travel options for Australians looking for quality healthcare services at economically feasible rates.
This initiative could ultimately strengthen the healthcare landscape in the region while providing Australians with timely access to critical medical services.
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