The Sri Sathya Sai Sanjeevani Children’s Hospital marked its third anniversary on Wednesday evening (24 April) with a celebration in Nasese, recognising three years of delivering life-saving cardiac care to children in Fiji and the Pacific.

Speaking at the event, Acting Prime Minister and Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation, Viliame Gavoka commended the hospital’s efforts, which have brought vital heart surgeries within reach for local families.

“These numbers aren’t just statistics,” Mr Gavoka said. “They represent children who can now run and play freely, and parents who no longer lie awake with worry. It’s about families staying together, whole and hopeful.”

Mr Gavoka also reaffirmed the Coalition Government’s support for strengthening healthcare services, announcing plans to establish Fiji’s first dedicated cardiac training academy by 2026. The initiative is aimed at building a sustainable local workforce of specialist doctors and nurses.

Since opening in 2022, the hospital has become a regional centre for paediatric cardiac care, providing free surgeries and consultations for children, many of whom previously had no access to such treatment.

The evening’s celebration brought together medical professionals, government officials, donors, and patient families to honour the hospital’s impact and its mission of delivering care with compassion, free of cost.