Children and adults who need heart treatment will continue to receive care free of charge at the Sri Sathya Sai Sanjeevani Heart Hospital, with Credit Corporation contributing $30,000 in support over the next three years.
The company's Country Manager Mohammed Nawaz and his executive team handed over the first $10,000 contribution to Hospital Director Dr Krupali Tappoo on 20th October.
Nawaz says heart disease affects many families in Fiji, and the cost of treatment can make it difficult for some people to access the care they need.
He says the hospital has shown what is possible when care is provided to everyone, regardless of their financial circumstances, and Credit Corporation is proud to support its work.
The company will provide $10,000 each year for three years to help meet the hospital's operating costs.
Hospital Director and CEO Dr Krupali Tappoo says support from businesses is important as the need for specialised cardiac care across Fiji and the Pacific continues to grow.
Development and Partnerships Manager Stephanie Lenert says support from the corporate sector helps the hospital continue providing life-saving care to children and families across the region.
Dr Tappoo says established in April 2022 by Sai Prema Foundation Fiji, the hospital is the Pacific's first specialist cardiac hospital, providing consultations, diagnostic tests, interventions and surgeries free of charge.
She adds as of October this year, the hospital has provided 553 free heart surgeries and interventions, 59,855 echocardiograms and 142,906 specialist and general medical consultations.
Its paediatric cardiac programme has treated children from Fiji, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Tonga, Samoa, Kiribati, Tuvalu, Christmas Island and Papua New Guinea.
Dr Tappoo adds the hospital is also expanding its free services to include adult cardiac care and advanced cardiac interventions, helping people access treatment without having to travel overseas at significant cost.
