A  35-year-old mother from Wailevu could not stop thanking the Sai Prema Foundation for a new start for her 10-month-old son after a successful open heart surgery last year.

“I am so thankful to the Sai Prema Foundation for their initiative,” Akenesi Momonakaya said.

The Nalualua villager was one of the parents attending the Sai Prema Foundation “Gift of Life” celebrations at Tanoa Plaza Hotel in Suva on Saturday.

The foundation organised the celebration to honour children who had free heart surgeries by a medical team from the Sri Sathay Sai Sanjeevani Hospital in Raipur, India.

Ms Momonakaya’s son, Elima Sutu, was one of those 25 children who underwent the free surgery.

Ms Momonakaya said Elima was a twin whose birth was premature because of the circumstances during her pregnancy.

“Tropical Cyclone Winston had destroyed our kitchen and I had difficulties in feeding my children,” Ms Momonakaya said.

“I was seven months pregnant then and walked around to collect woods so that I can cook food for my children and feed them.”

Ms Momonakaya said during that time she had some complications and instead of giving birth in April, she gave birth to twin boys in March,” she said.

“After birth, I came to know that my son Elima had a heart problem.

“I became really worried and did not know what to do and Elima’s twin brother passed away after a month.

“I was completely shattered.”

Ms Momonakaya said she then took her son Elima to the Labasa hospital for a check-up when the doctors told her about the free open heart surgery that would be performed by the doctors from India.

“My son got his surgery done in August last year. I am so thankful to the Sai Prema Foundation for their initiative,” she said.

Another parent, 63-year-old Isikeli Cavasiga, said: “My daughter Meretinai Isikeli was only a five-year-old when she had a road accident.

“When I brought her to the CWM Hospital, the doctors told me that my daughter has a heart problem.

“I became really worried because I am only a farmer and had other eight children to look after.

“I could not afford to take my daughter for overseas treatment and one day a doctor told me about the open heart surgery that will be performed by the doctors from India.”

His daughter underwent operation in August and Mr Cavasiga said he was so thankful to the Sai Prema Foundation for bringing back smile on his daughter’s face who is now 13-years-old.

Minister for Health and Medical Services Rosy Akbar, on behalf of Government, thanked the Sai Prema Foundation Fiji for their initiative.

“Twenty-five children had free congenital heart disease surgeries. That meant families saved more than $1.3 million,” Ms Akbar said.

“The lives of these children and their families have changed for the better.”

Ms Akbar said she was pleased to hear that the hardworking team from Sri Sathya Sai Sanjeevani Hospital would continue annual visits until Fiji established its own Paediatric Cardiac Unit.

Sai Prema Foundation medical co-ordinator Krupali Tappoo said: “Every year about 200 children are born in Fiji with congenital heart disease.

“We are so delighted that most of you children were able to make it here today to celebrate your life. What bigger gift can you give someone, than the Gift of Life.”

Edited by Rusiate Mataika

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