Head of the Catholic Church of Fiji, Archbishop Peter Loy Chong, is currently recovering at Aspen Lautoka Hospital after suffering a heart attack.
The Archbishop was admitted to hospital on Friday, after developing an intestinal obstruction while attending a Leadership Fiji workshop at the Fijian Resort.
According to the Archdiocese of Suva, he was initially placed under observation and managed conservatively but scans confirmed a blockage in the small intestine and surgery was originally scheduled for Monday morning.
They say however, due to a sudden spike in heart rate shortly before entering the operating theatre, the medical team expedited the procedure.
Archbishop Chong underwent expedited emergency surgery after a heart rate spike, where doctors found the intestinal blockage had resolved but inflammation remained, and he is now recovering under close cardiac monitoring.
They say doctors acted swiftly, stabilizing him before proceeding with emergency surgery to relieve the obstruction and during the operation, it was found that the blockage had resolved on its own, although inflammation of the small intestine remained.
The team conducted an internal cleaning before completing the procedure.
Archbishop Chong was transferred to the Intensive Care Unit, and later to the Coronary Care Unit, where his heart condition could be closely monitored.
They say despite a slow initial recovery, Archbishop Chong has shown steady improvement, and his medical team remains optimistic about his continued healing.
Archbishop Chong extends his heartfelt thanks to all parishes, communities, and individuals for their prayers, support, and words of encouragement during this time.
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