This story highlights the remarkable success of Pacific Specialists Healthcare in Fiji, particularly in their handling of a critical medical emergency.
Carol Wallen, an 80-year-old woman from Melbourne, Australia, traveled to Fiji with her son, Darren, to celebrate her milestone birthday in December 2023. Unfortunately, during their stay at the Sheraton Fiji Resort, Carol encountered health complications that necessitated her transfer from a local clinic to Nadi Hospital. Subsequently, her condition worsened, prompting Darren to seek out additional medical facilities, leading to her transfer to Pacific Specialists Healthcare (PSH) in Nadi.
Upon arrival at PSH, Carol experienced a cardiopulmonary arrest, during which her heart stopped for approximately ten minutes. Thanks to the swift response from the hospital’s specialists and Intensive Care Unit staff, particularly Consultant Anaesthesia and Intensivist Dr. Ratu Vereniki Raiwalui, Carol was successfully resuscitated.
Praising the expertise and care of the medical team, Carol expressed gratitude for her recovery, stating, “The staff have been really marvelous, and I am much better today because of that.” She also looked forward to returning to Fiji for another holiday once she fully recovers.
PSH managing director, Parvish Kumar, suggested that hotels and resorts collaborate with his hospital to ensure that guests receive prompt medical attention when needed. Darren echoed this sentiment, noting that the quality of care at PSH rivaled that of Australian hospitals, emphasizing the importance of such facilities in the region.
Dr. Raiwalui confirmed the positive outcome of the emergency care provided, highlighting the effective organ support given to Carol, which was crucial to her recovery. Just days after being taken off life support, Carol was seen smiling and being wheeled outside the hospital, a heartening sign of her improving health.
As they prepared to return to Australia on a medivac flight with an Intensive Care team from Brisbane, the experience underscored the importance of having accessible, high-quality medical care for tourists in Fiji. With additional partnerships between PSH and local hotels, patients could benefit from timely and professional treatment, enhancing the safety and experience of visitors in the region.
This story not only showcases the skills of the medical professionals at PSH but also paints a hopeful picture for the tourism and healthcare sectors in Fiji, promising a brighter future for travelers in need of medical care while away from home.
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