9/21/09|Friends of Fiji Heart Foundation Celebrates Fourth Successful Trip
Susana Tikoisuva recovers at Lautoka Hospital as her mother sits by her side.
Last Thursday, the Friends of Fiji Heart Foundation wrapped up their week of work here Fiji — a week that saw more than 30 individuals receive free life-saving heart surgeries, including single, double, and triple bypasses and pacemaker installations. The FIJI Water Foundation was the major sponsor of the Friends of Fiji Heart Foundation’s 2009 medical trip and had the opportunity to scrub into the wards and to meet with doctors, nurses, patients, and families.† We were deeply moved and humbled by the amazing work these medical professionals do, using their own vacation time and getting very little sleep during the week!† The youngest patient operated on during the tour was 16 years old, and the eldest was 83.
At Lautoka Hospital last Thursday, the recovering patients were all smiles as the Miss Sugar City (an annual local charity pageant) contestants had just come for a visit. Despite having undergone major surgery only days before, the patients were looking very well, some already walking around, laughing, chatting, and eating. One heart-bypass patient, Maya Telamarawa of Rabi Island, was so inspired by the visit that the doctors and nurses nominated her ìMiss Hospitalî and presented her with her own crown and ribbon.
Lautoka Hospital nurses pose in front of the event banner.
Such was the lighthearted mood in the recovery wards of Lautoka Hospital as these patients bounce back and embrace their renewed leases on life. The surgeries, normally available only overseas, might cost NZD$20,000† (about US$14,000) or more, but thanks to the generous assistance of volunteers and sponsors, all of these patients have received expert surgery and care at no cost. This is the Friends of Fiji Heart Foundationís fourth trip to Fiji. To date they have operated on more than 100 of Fijiís neediest patients.
The mother of 22-year-old patient Susana Tikoisuva of Lau said that the care they had received at the hospital was wonderful. She couldnít believe how quickly her daughter was recovering from the surgery on the hole in her heart. Lautokaís regular nurses and doctors were also delighted to work with the New Zealand doctors during their stay, saying their professionalism and good humor allowed them to fit in easily. Local surgeons-in-training were able to observe and scrub into surgeries they would otherwise witness only overseas.
As Foundation spokesman Deepak Singh of Auckland enthused, ìThis work could not have been done without the support of our sponsors, FIJI Water Foundation, Air Pacific, Air New Zealand, and Rotary [International]. FIJI Water Foundation is our major sponsor, and this is their second year of supporting the Friends of Fiji Heart Foundation medical team.î
"Miss Hospital," Maya Telamarawa
Mr. Singh described the financial challenges faced by some of the patients. For some, they would like to have the surgery but cannot afford transport to Lautoka. One man could not afford bus fare to the hospital from Nadi to be with his daughter during her surgery. Friends of Fiji Heart Foundation was able to cover these costs so that patients and families could focus on preparation, recovery, and being together. ìWe realized how blessed we are and that it is our duty to help,î said Mr. Singh.
FIJI Water Foundation is proud to be the teamís major sponsor, and we are also inviting all of Fiji to help support the costs of these heart surgeries. Until the end of the year, for every 1.5L bottle of water purchased at participating stores, 5 cents will be given to the Friends of Fiji Heart Foundation. For every six-pack purchased, customers receive a complimentary reusable shopping bag.
