A remarkable story of resilience and timely medical intervention has emerged from Fiji involving an 80-year-old Australian woman, Carol Wallen. Carol, who traveled from Melbourne with her son Darren to celebrate her milestone birthday, faced unexpected health challenges while vacationing at the Sheraton Fiji Resort in Denarau Island.
After developing severe complications, Carol was initially taken to a local clinic and then transferred to Nadi Hospital, where her condition rapidly declined. In search of better care, Darren discovered Pacific Specialists Healthcare (PSH) in Nadi. Urgently, they arranged for Carol to be transferred there, where she faced a critical moment—a cardiopulmonary arrest that left her heart stopped for approximately 10 minutes.
Thanks to the swift and expert actions of the medical team at PSH, including Consultant Anaesthetist and Intensivist Dr. Ratu Vereniki Raiwalui and the Intensive Care Unit staff, Carol was successfully resuscitated. Remarkably, Carol expressed deep gratitude for the exceptional care she received, noting, “The staff have been really marvelous, and I am much better today because of that.” She even expressed her intention to return for another holiday once she fully recovers.
Parvish Kumar, managing director of PSH, emphasized the importance of forming partnerships between hospitals and hotels for guest medical emergencies. Darren echoed this sentiment, stating he would highly recommend PSH for any medical needs to friends and family at home, comparing the treatment he witnessed to high standards of care in Australia.
Dr. Raiwalui reported that Carol’s condition significantly improved over the next few days, allowing her to be taken off life support and eventually into a wheelchair, where she was able to enjoy some time outdoors with a smile. Subsequently, Carol and Darren were safely repatriated to Australia on a Medivac flight accompanied by an Intensive Care team.
This inspiring story highlights not only the effectiveness of medical intervention but also the importance of collaboration in the tourism and healthcare sectors. It serves as a reminder of the dedication of healthcare professionals and the bonds of family during challenging times.
In conclusion, Carol Wallen’s journey of recovery reflects the best of human resilience and the impact of quality healthcare. This incident underscores the value of preparedness and communication between hospitals and hospitality services, ensuring that tourists in distress receive swift and effective medical attention, reinforcing confidence in travel and tourism in Fiji.
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