An open heart surgery cardiac taskforce from Sydney Adventist Hospital arrived in Fiji to do free operations and treatment of patients, The Fiji Times reported on July 6, 1994.
The cost of operation for each patient was estimated at $25,000 if treated overseas. According to Colonial War Memorial Hospital consultant physician/cardiologist Dr Bhagat Ram, the team consisted of seven cardiac professionals and 30 nurses to help in the operations.
Apart from open heart surgery, the team carried out pacemaker implantation.
Dr Ram, with sister-in-charge of cardiac laboratory, Shyam Naicaker, were carrying out preliminary screening to select patients for treatment.
Dr Ram had 12 patients from Labasa, four from Savusavu and 15 from the Western Division lined up for the visiting team. Operations were done for patients who were below 50 years of age and children below 12 years.
“Operations are usually done for patients who have rheumatic heart diseases and those who require artificial heart valves or need repair of deformed valves,” Dr Ram said. “The team is getting valves and four pacemakers to use in Fiji.
“Pacemakers will be used for patients who have complete heart blocks.
“Children will be treated for congenital heart diseases like arterial septal defect or tetralogy of vallot.”
Final screenings of patients were done by Dr Fred Nasser, a cardiologist from the Sydney Adventist Hospital and Dr Ram.
“This is the fourth time the team was visiting and all its operations were successful.
“In 1990, there were 21, 1991, 23, 1992, 25 and this year, we hope to operate on at least 30 patients.
“Twenty-five nurses from our hospital are undergoing training and attending lectures on cardiology from Phil Currie of the Sydney Hospital.” Rewa Dairy Ltd had donated $1000 and the assistance was welcomed by the public.
