An International surgical team that arrived two weeks ago to conduct life-saving surgeries on Fijian children born with anomalies in the structure of their hearts will leave this week.

Led by Dr Ashish Katewa of Sri Sathya Sai Sanjeevani Hospital in Jaipur, India, the team conducted 27 operations in nine days from April 13 to April 20, 2018.

The team comprises of world-class surgeons, doctors and specialist nurses from India, USA, Australia and Oman.

The charity heart surgeries were organised as part of the Sai Prema Foundation’s Gift of Life initiative.

Sai Prema Foundation Fiji is a non-government organisation (NGO) founded to serve the underprivileged people of Fiji through medicare, educare and sociocare initiatives.

The foundation’s medical co-ordinator, Dr Krupali Tappoo, said they were grateful to have the surgeons and specialists in Fiji.

It was their second visit; their last visit was in 2016.

“Of the 27 operations, about 21 was done in the operating theatre and the rest in the Catheterisation (Cath) lab,” Dr Tappoo said.

“It is quite a historic visit for Fiji and the South Pacific because we have never had any Paediatric procedures in the Cath lab.

“That’s amazing using our local Cath lab.

“As a coordinator, I am really happy and proud of what the whole team achieved.

“Of course, it’s a team effort and these would not have been possible without the support of the Sri Sathya Sai Sanjeevani Hospital, Ministry of Health and Medical Services, the staff, the Paediatric department and the doctors.

“We are thrilled that we had 27 successful operations, and the Foundation hopes to continue this on an annual basis.”

In 2016, Dr Katewa and his team gave 25 children a new lease of life after their heart defects were successfully operated on.

Edited by Mohammed Zulfikar

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