Fijians in need of heart bypass surgeries can now save over $25,000 by choosing to have the procedure performed locally at Pacific Specialist Healthcare (PSH), which has recently introduced this service. This new initiative aims to bring advanced cardiac care closer to home, eliminating the necessity for expensive travel abroad.
Kusum Lata, a 56-year-old resident of Lautoka, became the first patient to undergo open-heart surgery at PSH. She successfully completed a four-hour surgery on Monday. Initially advised by Lautoka’s Aspen Hospital to seek treatment in India, where she would face costs of around FJ$54,000, Ms. Lata found that she could have the procedure at PSH for less than a quarter of that expense.
According to Parvish Kumar, founder and CEO of PSH, the availability of local cardiac surgeries represents a significant turning point in healthcare for Fiji and the wider Pacific region. Kumar emphasized the dedication and skill of the surgical team, which allows patients to access high-quality cardiac care within their community, supported by their families, and at drastically reduced costs.
The proficient surgical team at PSH is trained in leading international healthcare institutions, ensuring a high standard of clinical excellence. Kumar noted that the first open-heart surgery in Fiji at PSH is the result of 15 months of meticulous planning, investment in state-of-the-art technology, and collaboration among medical teams.
Kumar, a former lecturer at the Fiji School of Medicine, characterized this development as a “beacon of hope” for cardiac patients throughout the Pacific. With structured pre-operative and post-operative protocols, PSH aims for a 100% success rate, highlighting the pivotal role of Fijian nurses who contributed significantly to the surgical process.
This new service by PSH not only enhances the availability of essential healthcare but also promotes local capacity-building and investment in the region’s healthcare system, providing hope and relief for many families in need of cardiac care.
In summary, this initiative significantly reduces financial barriers to essential surgical procedures, fostering an environment where patients can receive care in their home country while contributing to the health and well-being of the broader community.
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