9-month-old Nikutapui Amota and five-year-old Martin Ruata have been given a second chance at life after undergoing life-saving heart surgeries at the Sri Sathya Sai Sanjeevani Heart Hospital Fiji.
The two children from Kiribati were among 13 children who underwent open-heart surgery during the latest Gift of Life medical mission, with their mothers now looking forward to taking them home healthy.
Amota's mother, Bwenataake Tetebano, says her son had difficulty taking fluids, including breastfeeding, and experienced shortness of breath.
She says she was very scared while her son underwent the five-hour surgery, but now sees a bright future ahead for him.
Tetebano says her family back home is looking forward to Amota's return and will celebrate his recovery with a traditional feast.
She is encouraging other mothers going through similar experiences to always pray and remain thankful.
Meanwhile, Ruata's mother, Mwangarita Tobwaia, says she was not aware that her son had a heart condition until she noticed he was having difficulty waking up after sleeping.
Tobwaia says she has seen a positive change in her son since the surgery, with his eating habits improving and him becoming more active and able to wake up on his own.
Director of the Sri Sathya Sai Sanjeevani Heart Hospital, Krupali Tappoo, says 24 medical professionals from different countries came together for the mission and worked long hours to provide life-saving treatment to the children.
Tappoo says 13 children underwent open-heart surgery, while another five underwent procedures in the catheterisation laboratory, allowing them to avoid open-heart surgery.
She says the children were from Kiribati, Solomon Islands and Fiji.
Tappoo says some children with heart conditions also suffer from low oxygen levels and repeated chest infections, which can result in frequent hospital admissions.
She has acknowledged the visiting medical teams and organisations that supported the mission, saying that while the teams volunteer their time, there are still significant costs involved, including accommodation, meals, transport, medication and medical consumables.
Meanwhile, Medica Pacifica Business Manager Ivan Lal, who also donated a plasma steriliser to the Sai Prema Foundation, says he is honoured to witness the work being carried out by the Sri Sathya Sai Sanjeevani Heart Hospital Fiji.
Lal says he has worked in the medical sector for 17 years and has seen first-hand the challenges faced by the Ministry of Health, including shortages of staff and facilities.
He describes the work being done by the Sai Prema Foundation as tremendous and says he wants to support the organisation as much as possible.
Lal has also expressed his gratitude to the visiting medical team for volunteering their time to perform the surgeries and help children in need.
