This World Heart Day 2025, the Sanjeevani Children’s Hospital stands tall as a beacon of hope for children of Fiji and the Pacific.
The 22nd surgical mission at the Sri Sathya Sai Sanjeevani Children’s Hospital, Suva, brought together a 19-member international team of top surgeons, doctors, nurses, and specialists from Europe, Australia, and India – led by the world-renowned pediatric heart surgeon Professor Afksendiyos Kalangos of Greece – who dedicated their expertise to saving young lives.
During this mission, 14 life-saving heart surgeries were successfully conducted for children of Fiji, marking a historic moment as the hospital reached the landmark of 400 free life-saving heart surgeries since its opening in April 2022.
This achievement is more than just a number—it represents 400 dreams restored, 400 families given hope, and 400 futures secured. Sai Sanjeevani Hospital stands proudly as the South Pacific’s first and only state-of-the-art pediatric cardiac super-specialty hospital, offering all surgeries and treatments completely free of charge.
With over 37,227 free heart screenings and 408 free heart surgeries completed to date, the hospital’s unwavering vision ensures that no child in Fiji and the Pacific is ever denied the chance of a healthy heart – where every child is cared for and no child is left behind.
“As we celebrate World Heart Day 2025 with the theme ‘Don’t Miss a Beat’ this milestone reflects our unwavering promise that no child in Fiji and the Pacific will ever have to miss a beat when it comes to life-saving cardiac care.
Our hospital stands as a true reflection of World Heart Day’s global mission – ensuring that every heartbeat counts, every life matters, and every child has access to the cardiac care they deserve.
We are deeply grateful to the dedicated medical teams from around the world, our supporters, and the people of Fiji whose collective compassion has made this possible.
With every surgery, we reaffirm our commitment that quality healthcare is not a privilege, but the birthright of every child.”
Professor Kalangos, renowned heart surgeon from Greece, with Dr Nataliya Shatelen, Ms Nadiia, and Pigi Maraki, presenting the Gift of Life certificate and other gifts to young heart champion Faith Kedrabuka and her mother Letila Kedrabuka.
British High Commissioner to Fiji Kanbar Hossein-Bor, during the Gift of Life
presentation to Maraia Korai, accompanied by her mother
Bitirisi Ledua.
This achievement is more than just a number—it represents 400 dreams restored, 400 families given hope, and 400 futures secured.
Sai Sanjeevani Hospital is the South Pacific’s first and only state-of-the-art pediatric cardiac super-specialty hospital.