A team of medical specialists from New Zealand and Australia is currently performing life-saving heart surgeries for children at the Sri Sathya Sai Sanjeevani Heart Hospital in Fiji, with all procedures provided free of charge.

The medical mission is led by the Pasifika Medical Association Group through the New Zealand Medical Treatment Scheme, in partnership with New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Hearts4Kids Foundation.

Hospital Director and CEO Dr Krupali Tappoo says many families across Fiji and the Pacific cannot afford to travel overseas for specialised cardiac treatment, making these medical missions critical.

She says the partnership is giving more children access to life-saving treatment without placing a financial burden on their families.

The visiting medical team is led by paediatric cardiac surgeon Dr Kirsten Finucane, who says the mission also aims to strengthen local medical expertise and build healthcare capacity across the Pacific.

The hospital has so far carried out 553 life-saving heart surgeries and procedures, conducted more than 59,800 free heart screenings, and provided over 142,900 free general and specialist medical consultations.