Since its inauguration on August 19, 2016, the Sai Prema Foundation Fiji has stood as a shining beacon of hope, compassion, and healing across Fiji and the wider Pacific region.
Established as a registered charitable organisation, the foundation has spent the past nine years committed to selfless service, touching thousands of lives by offering free healthcare, education, and socio-care initiatives to those most in need.
Its impact continues to grow, making it a critical pillar in improving the wellbeing and future prospects of countless children and families.
Key achievements
At the core of the Sai Prema Foundation’s work is its unwavering dedication to comprehensive healthcare.
The foundation operates a remarkable network of specialised centres that together form a robust healthcare system accessible to underserved communities throughout Fiji and beyond.
This network includes a medical centre, a dental centre, a heart screening unit, and most notably, the Sri Sathya Sai Children’s Hospital — the first and only state-of-the-art children’s heart hospital in the South Pacific.
This hospital has become a lifeline for children suffering from heart ailments, many of whom would otherwise have no access to such advanced care.
Since opening its doors, the Sri Sathya Sai Children’s Hospital has performed 394 life-saving heart surgeries free of charge, offering a second chance at life for countless young patients and their families.
Equally impressive are the 36,211 echocardiograms conducted without any cost, a critical diagnostic tool that helps detect heart conditions early and accurately.
Beyond the hospital, the Sri Sathya Sai Sanjeevani Medical Centre and the foundation’s extensive outreach programs have delivered over 66,700 free medical checks in schools, villages, and hard-to-reach maritime areas.
This extraordinary reach ensures that even the most remote communities benefit from quality healthcare.
One of the foundation’s standout innovations is its “Health on Wheels” initiative, a mobile healthcare service that travels to rural and isolated communities, breaking down barriers related to distance and transportation.
By bringing essential medical services directly to these areas, the program ensures that no one is left behind due to geography or socio-economic status.
In keeping with its tradition of pioneering healthcare solutions, the foundation commemorated its 9th anniversary by opening the South Pacific’s first Children’s Diabetes Centre.
This centre provides much-needed free diabetes care and education, addressing a growing health concern among Pacific Island populations and filling a critical healthcare gap in the region.
Humanitarian efforts
The Sai Prema Foundation’s impact extends well beyond healthcare.
Its humanitarian spirit is powerfully demonstrated through the “Sai Annapoorna” program, an ongoing initiative that has provided more than four million free meals to underprivileged families, institutions, and communities.
This initiative is particularly vital during times of natural disasters when the distribution of grocery packs and nutritional support becomes a lifeline in rural areas affected by floods, cyclones, and other emergencies.
The foundation’s commitment to the wellbeing of communities also includes its “Be A Hero Blood Drives” initiative, which has contributed over 4900 pints of blood to the Ministry of Health’s blood bank.
This generous program supports life-saving treatments for patients across Fiji and bolsters the nation’s healthcare resources.
Education initiatives
Education is another integral pillar of the foundation’s multifaceted mission.
Recognising that holistic development requires nurturing both mind and spirit, the Sai Prema Foundation offers free Human Values workshops for children, meditation sessions for all ages, and specialised teacher training workshops.
These programs are designed to foster inner growth, resilience, and wellbeing within individuals and communities, complementing the foundation’s healthcare and humanitarian work with a focus on emotional and spiritual health.
Awards and recognition
The immense efforts and achievements of the Sai Prema Foundation Fiji have not gone unnoticed.
The organisation and its leaders have received numerous international awards and accolades.
Among the highest honours is the Companion of the Order of Fiji, granted to the foundation’s founder, Sadguru Sri Madhusudan Sai, as well as the hospital’s chairman, Sumeet Tappoo, and hospital director, Dr Krupali Tappoo.
These prestigious recognitions underscore their visionary leadership, dedication, and the profound difference they have made in the lives of thousands.
The sustainability and success of the foundation’s healthcare programs are strengthened through partnerships with international medical teams and vital grants, including support from the Government of Fiji.
Additionally, generous contributions from individuals, families, and the Fijian diaspora overseas play a critical role in funding the foundation’s initiatives, ensuring that world-class, free healthcare remains accessible to all children in need.
As the Sai Prema Foundation Fiji celebrates its ninth year of service, its commitment to transforming lives through love, hope, and healing remains stronger than ever.
By continuously expanding its reach and enhancing the quality of care it provides, the foundation is building healthier, happier futures for generations of children and communities across Fiji and the Pacific — a true testament to the power of compassion in action.
Surgeons during an operation at the Sai Prema Foundation Fiji. Picture: SUPPLIED