Three mothers are filled with relief and joy after their children underwent successful heart surgeries at the Sri Sathya Sai Sanjeevani Children's Hospital in Suva.
The mothers expressed their heartfelt gratitude to the Sai Prema Foundation today during the "Gift of Life" ceremony.
In an interview with fijivillage News, Marie Kaitu'u, the mother of 5-year-old Grace who was among the three children successfully operated on, expressed her gratitude and relief.
Kaitu'u says at first it was a challenging moment for her and her family and they were scared when their child was put in the surgery but they were assured by the team that everything would go well.
She says it’s a big relief and now they get to go home with their daughter.
Meanwhile the other two mothers, Naomi Taubera Ratu, the mother of 4 year old Ratu Jolame Banivalu Lewanavanua and Paulini Puamau, the mother of the 6 year old Losalini Bukavao also expressed their overwhelming gratitude for their children’s second chance at life, urging other parents to get their children screened.
The event celebrated the successful surgeries of three children who were awarded certificates for their second life while 14 other children under this month's program are currently undergoing treatment.
Since the hospital’s opening in 2022 a total of 329 successful heart surgeries have been performed.
Speaking during the ceremony, Sai Prema Foundation Fiji Director Sumeet Tappoo says thousands of children across the Pacific suffer from heart disease without even knowing it.
Tappoo says the foundation’s screening teams which visit villages across the Pacific often uncover undiagnosed heart disease in children.
He says this is a disease that is killing a lot of children in the Pacific and together they do all that they can to save as many lives as possible.
Minister of Employment, Productivity and Industrial Relations Agni Deo Singh commended the foundation for its efforts.
Singh says the foundation has saved 329 lives in the last few years with team from all over the world coming to assist which is true humanity.
Speaking at the ceremony, Essity Consumer Sales and Marketing Manager for the Pacific, Radhika Nair shared an emotional connection to the event.
Nair says the event is close to her heart as she also went through heart surgery as a child and she knows what parents go through. she says her team is truly fortunate to be part of this and their support will continue in the years to come.
Sai Prema Foundation expressed their gratitude to the children and their families for putting their trust in them to be able to perform these surgeries for them and give them a new gift of life.
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