Starting Tuesday, February 11, the Sri Sathya Sai Sanjeevani Children’s Hospital in Suva will embark on its next series of free heart surgeries for children diagnosed with congenital heart disease. This program will last until February 18 and aims to deliver critical healthcare to children from Fiji and surrounding Pacific islands.
Leading this vital mission is Professor Laszlo Kiraly, a distinguished pediatric cardiac surgeon associated with the National University Hospital (NUH) in Singapore. He will be accompanied by a team of 22 other specialists, which includes a cardiologist from the Sri Sathya Sai Sanjeevani Hospital in Palwal, India, as well as skilled pediatric ICU nurses from Australia.
This visit marks Professor Kiraly’s third time at the Sanjeevani Children’s Hospital, following successful missions in July 2023 and September 2022, during which the team performed numerous crucial surgeries for children in dire need.
Dr. Krupali Tappoo, the Director of Sanjeevani Children’s Hospital, expressed her gratitude for the continued partnership, emphasizing the significant hope that these surgeries provide to families across Fiji and the Pacific. “We are deeply thankful to have Professor Kiraly and his exceptional team return to Fiji to perform these life-saving surgeries,” she stated.
The initiative is bolstered by support from the National University Hospital Singapore and the Ministry of Health Fiji, which is facilitating the collaboration of local medical personnel during the surgical procedures.
To date, Sanjeevani Children’s Hospital has made tremendous strides, performing a total of 351 free heart surgeries and providing over 26,922 free echocardiograms through its extensive screening and outreach programs.
Dr. Tappoo also highlighted the hospital’s commitment to extensive heart screenings throughout Fiji, including in remote areas such as Kadavu and recently reaching out to Kiribati. These screenings play a crucial role in the early detection and timely intervention necessary for effective treatment.
The Sanjeevani initiative represents an unwavering dedication to improving children’s heart health and providing hope and brighter futures for families in need within the region. This ongoing commitment to healthcare is a significant step in expanding access to essential services across the Pacific, demonstrating the power of collaboration and compassion in medicine.
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