Archbishop Peter Loy Chong recovering after emergency surgery in Lautoka

The head of the Catholic Church in Fiji, Archbishop Peter Loy Chong, is recovering well after undergoing emergency surgery earlier this month at the Aspen Medical-managed Lautoka Hospital.

In a statement today, the Archdiocese of Suva confirmed that the Archbishop was admitted on Friday, September 5, after developing an intestinal obstruction while attending a Leadership Fiji workshop at the Fijian Resort.

He was initially placed under observation and given conservative treatment, with scans later confirming a blockage in the small intestine.

An operation had been scheduled for Monday, September 7, but doctors rushed the procedure forward after the Archbishop’s heart rate suddenly spiked. Just before entering the operating theatre, he suffered a heart attack, the Archdiocese said in a statement.

"The medical team immediately stabilised him and carried out emergency surgery at 3.30am to relieve the obstruction.

"Doctors later found that the blockage had cleared on its own, though inflammation of the intestine remained. Internal cleaning was performed before closing the abdomen.

"Archbishop Peter was transferred first to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and later to the Coronary Care Unit for close monitoring of his heart."

By Monday, September 15, his condition had improved significantly. While recovery was initially slow, doctors say his health is steadily progressing and remain optimistic about his continued healing.

The Archbishop expressed his gratitude for the outpouring of support during his time of illness.