One of Pacific Specialists Healthcare’s remarkable success stories emerged recently when an 80-year-old Australian woman, Carol Wallen, faced a life-threatening health emergency during her birthday vacation in Fiji.
Arriving in Fiji mid-December 2023 with her son Darren to celebrate her milestone birthday, Mrs. Wallen began experiencing complications while staying at the Sheraton Fiji Resort on Denarau Island. As her condition worsened, she was transported from a clinic to Nadi Hospital. Concerned for his mother’s health, Darren researched alternative facilities and chose to transfer her to Pacific Specialists Healthcare (PSH) in Nadi.
Upon her arrival at PSH, Mrs. Wallen suffered a cardiopulmonary arrest, during which her heart stopped beating for approximately ten minutes, necessitating extensive multi-organ support. The dedicated medical team at PSH, led by Consultant Anaesthetist and Intensivist Dr. Ratu Vereniki Raiwalui, acted swiftly to resuscitate her, and Mrs. Wallen has since praised the care she received, stating, “The staff have been really marvelous, and I am much better today because of that.”
Darren expressed his gratitude, noting the treatment his mother received was comparable, if not superior, to that of hospitals in Australia. He plans to recommend PSH to family and friends back in Australia for any medical needs while traveling in Fiji.
Dr. Raiwalui confirmed the critical nature of Mrs. Wallen’s condition upon her arrival and highlighted the intensive care and organ support that ultimately led to a significant recovery. Just days after being taken off life support, Mrs. Wallen was seen smiling in a wheelchair as she was taken outside the hospital.
The Wallens were later repatriated to Australia on a special Medivac flight with an intensive care team from Brisbane. PSH’s managing director, Parvish Kumar, emphasized the importance of partnerships between hotels and hospitals to ensure swift access to medical care for guests in need.
This incredible story not only underscores the importance of accessible healthcare for travelers but also highlights the exceptional capabilities of medical facilities like PSH, which provide critical services to both locals and tourists. With strengthened collaborations in the tourism industry, such positive outcomes can become more commonplace.
Summary: Carol Wallen, an 80-year-old woman from Australia, faced a life-threatening health crisis while vacationing in Fiji. After being transferred to Pacific Specialists Healthcare, the dedicated team resuscitated and treated her, leading to a significant recovery. Her son praised the facility’s care, highlighting their efforts to facilitate quick medical attention for tourists. This case exemplifies the vital need for partnerships between healthcare providers and the tourism sector to ensure positive health outcomes for travelers.
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