The first ever South Pacific Children’s Heart Screening Centre has been opened by the Sai Prema Organisation at the Sri Sathya Sanjeevani Medical Centre in Nasese.

While officiating at the event, Prime Minister, Voreqe Bainimarama says young Fijians will be provided heart screenings, completely free of cost at the centre.

He says that because of the new Heart Screening Centre, families whose children suffer from a cardiac‑related illness will now have that feeling of security; they will know there is hope for their child and there is no price tag they can place on that comfort.

General Practitioner and the Medical Coordinator for Sai Prema Foundation Dr. Krupali Tappoo acknowledged a retired couple from New Zealand who donated the screening machine.

The Sai Prema Organisation has also announced that from today they will start the construction of a Children Heart Surgery Hospital in Nasese which is expected to take shape within the next 12 months.

Dr Krupali Tappoo also confirmed that once the Hospital is completed, all heart surgeries will be free of cost for all Fijian children.

Meanwhile, 25 children will be screened today as the centre will continue to do screening until later this week before children will undergo heart surgery at the CWM Hospital by overseas surgeons next week.

DR Krupali Tappoo also highlighted that since 2016 they have managed to assist 54 children who went through surgery which has cost the organisation approximately $5 million.

ADVERTISEMENT