A DESPERATE mother of four is pleading for assistance as her 13-year-old daughter urgently requires specialised eye treatment overseas.
Evlin Ashika Devi said medical reports from the Colonial War Memorial Hospital confirmed that her daughter, Jiya Geetanjali Prasad, urgently needed amniotic membrane grafting, a procedure that is not available in Fiji and must be done in India.
She appealed to the public for help to raise more than $5000 so that Jiya could receive the eye treatment as soon as possible and continue her education in the 2026 academic year.
“There are additional costs involved in the treatment, including return airfare for my husband and mother, who will be travelling with Jiya, as well as accommodation and food in India,” Ms Devi said.
“The hospital has advised us that if further complications arise with her eyes, their stay in India would need to be extended, resulting in additional costs.
“That’s why I am pleading for help.”
She said Jiya was just six years old when she started complaining about her eye problem.
“She initially had swollen eyes and redness in the eye lens, and she complained of itchiness and pain.
“We took her to the Pacific Eye Institute on Brown Street, where she was given medication and eye drops. Each time we went for her check-ups, her medications were changed.
“Despite being on various medications, her condition has worsened. It is now very painful for her to even open her eyes.”
Ms Devi said the doctors told them this year in January that Jiya needed eye treatment in India.
Ms Devi said doctors informed them in January this year that Jiya would need to undergo specialised eye treatment in India.
“We are told that surgery is not possible in Fiji. We have been running to all the doctors and showed them the report we had from the hospital, and they all said that the surgery is not possible in Fiji.”
Those who wish to help Jiya with her treatment can deposit contributions into Evlin Ashika Devi’s BSP account, number 87407367, or send their contribution via M-Paisa to Ms Devi at 2721696.
