Valve replacement surgery begins

Pacific Specialist Healthcare (PSH Hospitals) is taking a significant step forward in heart care with Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD) treatment services at its hospitals across Fiji — marking a first for the private health sector and a major win for cardiac care in the country.

With support from public health partners and a growing network of patients, PSH Hospitals is leading the charge against RHD, a preventable but serious condition that continues to affect thousands of Fijians, especially children and young adults.

Rheumatic Heart Disease remains one of the leading causes of early death in the Pacific and unfortunately, Fiji has the highest rate of RHDs in the world as per statistics available online.

It starts with something as simple as a sore throat — caused by a ‘Group A Streptococcal’ infection — that is not properly treated. Left unchecked, the infection can lead to rheumatic fever, which in turn damages the heart valves, especially the mitral valve.

The result is chronic breathlessness, fatigue, chest pain, heart failure, and in some cases, premature death.

In Fiji, the burden of RHD is high. Studies show that one in every 50 school-aged children is living with RHD, with many more at risk. For too long, these cases have gone undiagnosed or untreated — and in many situations, patients only discover the problem when it’s too late.

PSH Hospitals: A New Era of Access and Action

In response to this crisis, PSH Hospitals has rolled out a new cardiac program that provides patients with:

• Early diagnosis using echocardiograms (heart scans)

• Monthly benzathine penicillin injections to prevent the progression of the disease

• Surgical options for mitral and multi-valve disease, including repair and replacement procedures — offered locally for the first time by a private hospital

• Ongoing clinical follow-ups and patient education, ensuring long-term management and better health outcomes

This program makes PSH Hospitals the first private health institution in Fiji to offer comprehensive services for RHD patients — creating new pathways for those who previously had to rely solely on limited public resources or expensive overseas referrals.

Leadership That Drives Change

At the helm of this initiative is Dr Sanjeev Kumar Khulbey, a leading heart specialist and the driving force behind PSH Hospitals’ cardiac advancements.

“We are seeing far too many young people in Fiji — including children, teenagers, and even expectant mothers — living with severe RHD and valve damage,” said Dr Khulbey.

“In many cases, they don’t know they have it until the heart is already failing. At PSH Hospitals, we want to change that by giving people access to diagnosis, prevention, and life-saving surgery — right here at home.”

Dr Khulbey is no stranger to leading change. Over the years, he has been at the forefront of bringing advanced medical services to Fiji and has worked closely with international and local partners to improve access to high-quality care.

His vision for PSH Hospitals is simple: to raise the standard of care and offer specialised services that meet Fiji’s most urgent health needs — starting with the heart.

“What we’re offering at PSH Hospitals is more than just treatment — it’s hope,” Dr Khulbey explained.

“When we operate on a young person with mitral valve disease and give them back their health, we’re not just fixing a heart — we’re restoring a future.”

The introduction of RHD treatment at PSH Hospitals comes at a critical time when the need for heart care is growing, and public health systems are under pressure. By expanding the number of facilities and providers offering cardiac care, PSH Hospitals is playing a key role in bridging the gap and ensuring more Fijians get the help they need, when they need it.

For many patients, this means accessing treatment faster, closer to home, and with greater continuity of care — something that has been missing for too long.

PSH Hospitals’ commitment doesn’t stop at treatment. The hospital is planning to expand its RHD services in the coming months, with additional training for nurses and outreach initiatives in rural areas. The goal is to bring cardiac care closer to the diverse communities and strengthen Fiji’s capacity to prevent, detect, and treat heart disease.

With PSH Hospitals at the forefront and doctors like Dr Sanjeev Kumar Khulbey driving the vision, Fiji is taking a bold step towards ending the impact of RHD — one patient at a time.

For more information or booking, email: - cardiology@psh.com.fj or call 8922241