Pacific Specialists Healthcare in Fiji recently celebrated a remarkable success story involving an 80-year-old Australian woman, Carol Wallen, who faced life-threatening health complications during her holiday. Carol, who traveled to Fiji from Melbourne with her son Darren to commemorate her milestone birthday, experienced a sudden decline in health while staying at the Sheraton Fiji Resort on Denarau Island.
After developing serious complications that warranted hospital care, Carol was initially taken to a local clinic before being transferred to Nadi Hospital. However, her condition worsened, prompting Darren to seek alternative medical facilities, which led them to Pacific Specialists Healthcare (PSH) in Nadi.
Upon her arrival at PSH, Carol suffered a cardiopulmonary arrest, with her heart stopping for approximately ten minutes, necessitating extensive multi-organ support and immediate resuscitation from the medical staff. Under the guidance of Consultant Anaesthesia and Intensivist Dr. Ratu Vereniki Raiwalui, Carol was successfully revived. In reflecting on her care, she expressed immense gratitude for the “marvelous” staff, highlighting that her recovery was miraculous.
Dr. Raiwalui reported that Carol received critical intensive care, where medical professionals closely monitored and managed her vital organ functions, which had been at risk of failing. Remarkably, after just four days of being on life support, she transitioned to being mobile enough to sit in a wheelchair and enjoy the outdoors.
Upon her recovery, Carol and Darren were able to return home to Australia on a special Medivac flight, accompanied by an Intensive Care team from Brisbane. Darren praised the level of assessment and care at PSH, likening it to or even better than that of an Australian hospital.
PSH’s managing director, Parvish Kumar, emphasized the importance of partnerships between local hotels and hospitals to ensure that guests receive swift and effective medical treatment when needed. This incident showcases the vital role that healthcare facilities play in supporting the tourism industry, as well as the incredible capabilities of medical professionals in urgent situations.
This story serves as a powerful reminder of the resilience of the human spirit and the critical importance of having access to quality healthcare, especially in tourist destinations. With continued collaboration between healthcare providers and the tourism sector, other visitors can also receive timely and effective medical assistance while enjoying their vacations.
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