Leone Seveci will be celebrating his son birthday twice a year starting next year.

This follows the successful surgery performed on the five-year-old Tevita Bainicagi’s at the Sri Sathya Sai Sanjeevani Children’s Hospital.

Mr Seveci plans to buy two cakes each year to commemorate the day Tevita was born and the day he was given a second chance to live.

Tevita was discharged on Saturday.

Last year, a team from the Sai Prema Foundation visited Beqa to conduct screenings for children, where they detected Tevita’s Congenital Heart Disease (CHD).

CHD is a range of birth defects that affect the normal functioning of the heart, with the condition being present since birth.

Mr Seveci was working in Queensland, Australia and had to remain calm upon receiving the news of his youngest child’s heart problem. He had confidence in the competency of medical team.

“I am relieved a team went to Beqa and discovered my son’s heart condition. The level of care provided to my son at the hospital is exceptional, and I am thankful.”

The father of four children urges fellow Fijians to have their children screened at the Sri Sathya Sai Sanjeevani Children’s Hospital.

“The hospital provides free services and every family should take advantage of this opportunity.

“I will forever be grateful to them for granting Tevita the chance to live a normal life like any other child,” he said.

Mr Seveci believes many parents will also find solace to know their children can receive surgery in Fiji, surrounded by their loved ones.

This eliminates the need for overseas treatments.

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