Sumintra Sundar was one of 25 patients who recently benefited from a successful laser treatment to remove kidney stones at Labasa Hospital. The week-long procedure was carried out by a medical team from Friends of Fiji Health (FOFH) visiting from New Zealand.
The 60-year-old resident of Waidamudamu, Labasa, had been suffering from kidney stones since 2017. As treatment options involving laser and minimally invasive techniques are not available in local public or private hospitals, she had been waiting for assistance from an overseas medical team.
Previously, kidney stone surgeries in public hospitals required large incisions, but the recent advancements brought by FOFH allowed for completely internal surgery at Labasa.
Ms. Sundar was the first in Fiji to undergo this procedure, led by Dr. Imran Ali. Following her successful surgery, she was seen enjoying time with her grandchildren and husband, Ram Sundar, at home.
“I am really thankful to FOFH for carrying out my surgery successfully,” expressed Ms. Sundar. “I was afraid they might have to cut me open, but I was really pleased that the procedure involved no cuts at all,” she added.
Dr. Ali, who expressed pride in being a son of Fiji, shared in Ms. Sundar’s excitement about offering this innovative procedure to everyday Fijians through FOFH. The organization, registered in New Zealand since July 2010, focuses on assembling teams of specialists to provide medical care to underserved communities in Fiji.
Over five days, the team conducted free operations to help those in need.