Eight children with heart defects undergo surgery part of 'Gift of Life' initiative

Eight children with heart defects undergo surgery part of 'Gift of Life' initiative

By Iva Danford
16/04/2018
6-year-old open heart surgery patient Shaniya Dutt

Eight children born with defects in their hearts have undergone life‑saving surgery within the past three days as part of the ‘Gift of Life’ initiative.

More children will be receiving the ‘Gift of Life’ surgeries over the next few days, from the international team of congenital heart specialists who arrived in the country late last week.

The team, led by leading Paediatric Heart Surgeon, Doctor Ashish Katewa is in Fiji as part of the Gift of Life initiative organised by the Sai Prema Foundation.

This is the second time the Foundation has coordinated and facilitated the free congenital heart surgeries, in conjunction with the Sri Sathya Sai Sanjeevani Hospital.

The first was in 2016 when 23 children successfully underwent heart surgery.

The team aims to help at least 25 children who need open‑heart surgery, an option that normally requires families to spend more than $100,000 because there are no local surgeons and clinicians to be able to provide the service in Fiji.

Last week the Foundation received $20,000 from the ATH Foundation for the Gift of Life initiative.

FEATURE NEWS
Bau delegation presents traditional gifts to Tui Nayau ahead of installation as Tui Lau
In recognition of the strong ties between Lau and the chiefly island of Bau, the Bauan delegation has presented its tradition gift to the Tui Nayau, R...
1 hour ago
LATEST NEWS
Positive signs for Fiji as tariff talks continue ahead of extended August 1 deadline
As U.S. President Donald Trump's deadline for increased tariffs has been extended, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Professor Biman ...
56 minutes ago

FCCC warns of AI-generated deepfake scam using fake news video and investment claims
People are being alerted to a highly deceptive scam video currently circulating online which is a deepfake, generated using artificial intelligence ...
1 hour ago

Radrodro urges students to research TSLS programs and choose career paths Fiji needs
Students should also know and do research about programs in the TSLS and not follow their friends while enrolling in courses that they regret ...
2 hours ago

VitiKart and DHL partner to boost global reach for local MSMEs
In a bold move to empower small and medium-sized enterprises across Fiji, VitiKart and global logistics leader DHL Express have announced a strategic ...
3 hours ago

New veterinary kits to support field work and safety
With the current challenges faced by the Animal Health and Production Division in Fiji due to a lack of resources, the provision of veterinary kits ...
3 hours ago



fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan
Latest Videos

Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations

CFL radio frequencies
IN DEPTH
Professor Prasad on fijivillage Straight Talk With Vijay Narayan
The show will focus on the 2025/2026 National Budget.
7 hours ago

Tui Nayau and Tui Lau Installation
The ceremony for the installation of the Tui Nayau Sau ni Vanua o Lau will be held tomorrow, while the installation ceremony of the Tui Lau will be held in Tubou on Thursday.
2 days ago

CFL 40th Birthday
CFL’s 40th Anniversary celebrations to culminate with free concert at Albert Park on ...
5 days ago

TOP