Grandmother Amla Wati is expressing her gratitude to the Friends of Fiji Health charitable organization from New Zealand for giving her a new lease on life after her operation on Wednesday.
Friends of Fiji Health is composed of doctors, nurses, and support staff who have been conducting complex surgeries at the Labasa Divisional Hospital since last Friday.
Ms. Wati, 62, from Korovatu, Labasa, had her gall bladder stone removed on Wednesday at the Labasa Divisional Hospital.
“I had been in pain for two months, and the news that an overseas team of medical experts was coming to perform operations gave me hope,” Ms. Wati said.
“I was scared at the thought of having the operation; I am grateful to the team that carried it out. They were gentle and friendly. The team from overseas, along with local surgeons, were really good, and I feel healthy again.”
Ms. Wati’s surgery lasted two hours, and she is currently recovering in the hospital.
“Following this successful operation, I can’t wait to share with my community how these wonderful doctors and others have medically transformed my life,” she said. “At this age, the cost of such operations is expensive; I am thankful that the service was free of charge.”
“Any operation that eases people’s pain is an example of a good deed,” said Labasa Hospital Board of Visitors chairperson Hazeem Hussein.
Mr. Hussein noted that the medical team members sacrificed their time to help patients with complex surgeries and operations. The team is set to return to New Zealand this week.
Mr. Hussein is hopeful that there will be more visits from the NZ team in the future.