The Sai Prema Foundation has conducted 421 life-saving heart surgeries for children of Fiji and the South Pacific free of charge, saving the families more than $42million.
Minister for Health Dr Ratu Atonio Lalabalavu told Parliament on Thursday that the foundation, through the Sri Sathya Sai Sanjeevani Children’s Heart Screening Centre, had conducted free heart screenings to 39,515 children from its centre and through outreach programs throughout Fiji including the rural villages and maritime regions.
“Screenings have also been conducted in neighbouring South Pacific island nations,” Dr Lalabalavu said.
“The Sai Children’s Hospital at Nasese in Suva provides life-saving paediatric cardiac services through overseas specialist volunteer teams.”
He said in the financial year 2023-2024, the Government provided the Hospital with $4,000,000. The same amount was provided to the hospital in the 2024-2025 financial year and in the 2025-2026 financial year, the Government provided the hospital with $3,913,043.
Dr Lalabalavu said these fundings ensured Fijian children had access to complex cardiac procedures locally free of charge.
