Each year when many hardworking men celebrate Father’s Day with their families, Dr Inosi Salababa always observe the occasion in a special way.

This is by honouring his late father, Dr Joseva Nasaroa, a cardiologist who trained in New Zealand and practised medicine in Lautoka in the early 90s at the Colonial War Memorial Hospital and the Suva Private Hospital.

Dr Salababa, who hails from Nasarowaqa Village in the district of Lekutu, Bua Province, described his father as his anchor of hope.

“I wouldn’t be where I am today if it wasn’t for my dad’s encouragement,” he said.

The 42-year-old is based at Lautoka Hospital as an oral surgeon providing oral maxillofacial surgical services to those in the Western Division.

Oral and Maxillofacial surgery is a surgical specialty focusing on reconstructive surgery of the face, facial trauma surgery, the oral cavity,  head and neck, mouth and jaws, as well as facial cosmetic surgery.

He is one of the first two students who graduated with Masters in Oral Surgery from the Fiji National University in 2019.

“My interest in the medical field stemmed from my late dad,” he said.

“My profession is a calling on my life; it’s a divine purpose. If you see life from that perspective, every other thing seems small.

“Passionate about what I do, I perform to the best of my ability – my role in the Ministry of Health and Medical Services machinery.”

Dr Salababa said he was also grateful to his wife, Dr Virisila, a pathologist at the Lautoka Hospital for holding the fort at home and at work.

They have two children, Joseva, 12 and Akuila, 6.

“During the hospital lockdown she was away from us for three weeks, so I was both mum and dad while she was away,” he said.

“Our kids know full well the nature of our work and any time with them is a jewel.”

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