About 15 Fijian medical staff are working with the Sahyadri Cardiac team from India at the Colonial War Memorial Hospital in Suva.

Ministry of Health and Medical Services media officer Sunil Chandra said they had about 10 nurses and paramedical staff and about five doctors who were attached to the team for training purposes.

“The team started their Angiogram yesterday (Monday) and they will be at the hospital until February 2 and will start open heart surgery from February 3-17,” Mr Chandra said.

“Some of our staff have had their training in India and will continue their training in Fiji while they are attached to this programme.”

He said they would conduct close to 40 surgeries.

“This programme is economically convincing and beneficial to the public at large for performing the surgeries in Fiji rather than travelling abroad.” Mr Chandra said they would have a follow-up with the patients by the doctor who had performed the surgery.

He said this was a joint venture between the Ministry and Sahyadri Specialty Pacific Hospitals Limited.

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