Kusum Lata Overwhelmed with Heart Operation

A Lautoka mother of three created history on Monday when she became the first Fijian to undergo a successful heart operation at Fiji’s only locally owned private hospital.

Kusum Lata, 56, of Natabua in Lautoka said she was indebted to the heart surgeons, Pacific Specialist Healthcare founder and CEO Parvish Kumar and his team of doctors and nursing staff.

Mrs Lata’s operation cost less than a quarter of what one would normally pay to under similar procedures in India.

From June this year the mother of three has had a heart attack and survived it but was left in despair when told of the exorbitant costs which included air fares and other expenses.

“When I got sick and visited Aspen Hospital in Lautoka, the doctors there told me to have my bypass operation done in India,” Ms Lata said.

She was told the total costs which included air fares and other expenses would be around $23,000USD.

Pacific Specialist Healthcare’s team of heart surgeons, nurses and back up staff after the operation. Photo: Charles Chambers

“I heard about PSH ready to begin heart operations and I came, got checked and was the first to have this done in PSH.

“I was so happy. Never dreamt this could be done here and my family is vey happy to see me well and also be with me during my recovery.

“In India I would not have been able to see them after the operation.

Mrs Lata’s message to all Fijians is save their money, don’t worry about high expenses for the heart operation as PSH does it with much less costs.

“I paid less than a quarter of what I would have paid if I went to India,” she said.

Mrs Lata said she suffered minor heart attacks before the operation but was feeling a lot better after the operation.

Feedback: charles.chambers@fijisun.com.fj