Congenital heart disease is a leading cause of mortality in children under five years old worldwide. In Singapore, approximately 90% of infants born with congenital heart disease (CHD) survive to adulthood. However, statistically the majority of children born with CHD live in locations with no access to appropriate medical care, unlike Singapore.
In Fiji, approximately 200 children are born with congenital heart disease every year, with another 2,500 born around the Pacific Islands. As there are no paediatric cardiac services in Fiji or around the Pacific Islands, treatment involves costly overseas travel and surgery upwards of S$61,000, which most families cannot afford. As a result, the majority of these children die or become debilitated.
On 27 April 2022, hope emerged for these children and their families with the establishment of the Sri Sathya Sai Sanjeevani Children’s Hospital in Fiji – a charitable hospital that provides paediatric cardiac services completely free of charge. As the hospital lacks trained local health professionals, the National University Hospital (NUH) has been collaborating with the Sri Sathya Sai Sanjeevani Children’s Hospital since 2022.
2022: The first Heart to Heart Mission
The first Heart To Heart Mission was in September 2022. The 16-membered NUHS team comprised paediatric cardiac surgeons, anaesthetists, perfusionists, intensivists, nursing and administrative staff. NUH doctors also reached out to colleagues in Australia, Malaysia and India to form a complete team of 25 medical staff.
The Heart to Heart Mission team conducted successful cardiac surgeries for 21 Fijian children and completed their postoperative intensive care stay in-house. Thanks to the sponsorship of their many partners, the team also brought their own surgical and anaesthetic equipment, further elevating the care that the children received. They also provided educational and technical support to local staff, supporting the hospital’s vision of one day being staffed by local Fijian doctors and nurses.
2023: Pushing the Boundaries
Our staff shares their experiences
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A/Prof Laszlo Kiraly, Lead Paediatric Cardiothoracic Surgeon, Heart to Heart Mission
Head of Division & Senior Consultant, Paediatric Cardiac Surgery, Department of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Surgery, National University Heart Centre, Singapore
It has been a very satisfying experience that team members coming from different disciplines and countries could immediately work in harmony, seamlessly for the benefit of our little patients. We hope that we can be instrumental to help Sri Sathya Sai Sanjeevani Children’s Hospital reach its own full potential and respond to the public demand for a congenital cardiac service. Most of all, we could help patients who had nowhere else to turn to. We feel extremely satisfied that all patients recovered well and their chances to live a good quality life are now unhampered by congenital heart problems.
Dr Rex Morais, Paediatric Cardiac Anaesthetist, Heart to Heart Mission
Senior Consultant, Department of Anaesthesia, National University Hospital
It is said that helping others produces a feel-good effect, a calming influence, reduces stress and provides a positive change in the body and mind. I found this was so true in this mission and each one of us are immensely grateful for NUHS, the Sai Prema Foundation and the people of Fiji for making this experience possible.
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Qu Ying Ying, Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) Nurse, Heart to Heart Mission
Nurse Clinician, National University Hospital
Going on this trip has made me realise that there are no boundaries when one wants to do good. Everyone came together for a good cause. It also makes me appreciate all the little things we have and the things we take for granted.
A memory that will stay with me for a long time was when I took a walk in front of the iconic giant heart of Sri Sathya Sai Sanjeevani Children’s Hospital, while holding my little patient’s hand, after my first night shift in eight years, sharing the beautiful scenery of flowers and the sunrise of Fiji.
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Mr Ong Geok Seen, Perfusionist, Heart to Heart Mission
Principal Perfusionist, Department of Cardiac, Thoracic & Vascular Surgery (CTVS), National University Heart Centre, Singapore
This mission provided a good bonding experience between staff across various departments. By the end of the mission, we understood each other much better than before, so much so that we became close friends!
The NUHS team faced significant challenges, working outside our comfort zone in an unfamiliar environment. The heart lung machine's intuitive interfaces and our professional experience allowed us to effectively use the equipment, ensuring successful cardiopulmonary bypass procedures. Additionally, we found the pump circuits to be simpler compared to NUHS circuits, contributing to our overall success.
Parents of the children share their experiences
Mother of Charles Tarakabu, 3 Years Old
Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA) Ligation
Coming from Solomon Islands, my experience being a mother to a little boy with a heart condition was very stressful and confusing. I had no knowledge of the condition and was helpless in terms of the financial burdens my family would have to incur. We have never been to Fiji but I just prayed to God that He will make a way for us.
When we arrived in Fiji there was someone already waiting for us. The hospital accommodated us within just a few days for surgery and their hospitality was so wonderful. I will be forever grateful for the doctors, nurses and staff of this hospital. Thank you so much Singapore team and the Sri Sathya Sai Sanjeevani Hospital. God bless.
Mother of Emosi Tabu, 4 years old
Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) Repair
For a long time, Emosi was short of breath, often gets tired and had to squat to feel better. Finally, our time for a cure had come. Emosi was excited, but as his parents, we were even more excited because we knew this was a once in a lifetime opportunity for our son to receive a new gift of life.
After the successful surgery, I saw such a big change. His skin colour, lips, toes and fingers, which used to be blue, are now pink in colour. We are thankful to this charity organization for saving our less fortunate children. We are also grateful to the medical team for working tireless around the clock with a high standard of services. Last but not least, thank you to the crew behind the scenes for making sure we were well fed, kept warm, our clothes washed and provided with clean bedding with all the facilities well kept. A big Vinaka Vakalevu!
Mother of Zemira Raphaella, 5 months old
Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD) Repair
Before the surgery, it was not easy to see my daughter with her gown on as she was about to be taken into the operating theatre. But a cute and innocent smile from her gave me peace.
I will never forget how well I was physically and spiritually treated by the staff. We were so lucky to be provided with everything and have the surgery done by an experienced team. After surgery, I was thrilled with her appearance when I entered the ICU. The nurses were so supportive and they would ask me to rest while they took care of my baby.
Sanjeevani Children’s Hospital is really a great hospital with inspiring staff. They provide a high standard of service to their patients. Their meals are great and the social interactions make us very comfortable.
How You Can Make a Difference
The next Heart To Heart Mission to Fiji is scheduled for February 2025.
There are numerous volunteering opportunities to support Heart to Heart’s mission. Donations are also welcome and will make a meaningful difference to the hospital in Fiji.
Please contact Dr Nanthini Pillay at [email protected] for more information.
The Sri Sathya Sai Sanjeevani Children’s Hospital is South Pacific’s first paediatric cardiac hospital. Built by the Sai Prema Foundation Fiji, it is the largest project ever undertaken by a non-governmental organisation in Fiji’s history. The vision of this children’s heart hospital is to become the most important paediatric cardiac care centre for Fiji and the Pacific Island nations. Pursuant to the principles of the Foundation, no child or parent pays for the surgery. All services at the hospital, including Heart Surgery, are provided completely free of charge.
Despite the charitable nature of the project, the Sai Prema Foundation has created a world-class facility with the aim of providing the best possible surgery and treatment to the children of Fiji and the Pacific. The hospital houses state-of-the-art equipment for its catheterization lab, operating theatre, intensive care unit and wards. The hospital also includes a training centre with technological capabilities for international video conferencing.
This children’s heart hospital is just one of the projects run by Sai Prema Foundation Fiji, which also conducts relief efforts during natural disasters, blood donation drives and provides food for the needy. On 9th July 2020, The Foundation signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), to work towards the 17 Sustainable Development Goals by 2030; to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure all people enjoy peace and prosperity. The Sai Prema Foundation Fiji joins an international community of foundations and trusts, in running free nutrition, healthcare and education activities across over 30 countries, under the Sai Global Federation of Foundations, led by Sadguru Sri Madhusudhan Sai.
