08/11/08 - Cardiologists bring hope to heart patients
BORN a blue baby, 17-year-old Mohit Dass is hoping he will be among 23 patients who will undergo free open heart surgery over the next two weeks.
The Form Six student of Bhawani Dayal College in Nausori was one of the first six to be at Lautoka Hospital yesterday and was nervous. It was not because he has exams next week.
He is praying for a successful valve replacement surgery and looking forward to playing a full game of soccer. Severely underweight, Mohit has suffered from shortness of breath since birth.
Barring any complication after surgery, he should be fit to return home in 10 days.
The Friends of Fiji Heart Foundation says the first surgery will be done today. Formed by 11 former Fiji residents living in New Zealand, this is the foundation's third trip to Fiji. Five tonnes of medical supplies including a heart bypass machine was flown in with 38 of the 47 surgeons.
Deepak Pratap Singh, a trustee, said three cardiologists arrived a month ago to assess patients in Suva, Lautoka and Labasa. The surgery would cost a patient $45,000 in New Zealand. Mr Singh commended Fiji Water, Air Pacific, Air New Zealand, Suva Rotary, Lautoka Hospital and the Ministry of Health.
FIJI TIMES, November 08, 2008
The Form Six student of Bhawani Dayal College in Nausori was one of the first six to be at Lautoka Hospital yesterday and was nervous. It was not because he has exams next week.
He is praying for a successful valve replacement surgery and looking forward to playing a full game of soccer. Severely underweight, Mohit has suffered from shortness of breath since birth.
Barring any complication after surgery, he should be fit to return home in 10 days.
The Friends of Fiji Heart Foundation says the first surgery will be done today. Formed by 11 former Fiji residents living in New Zealand, this is the foundation's third trip to Fiji. Five tonnes of medical supplies including a heart bypass machine was flown in with 38 of the 47 surgeons.
Deepak Pratap Singh, a trustee, said three cardiologists arrived a month ago to assess patients in Suva, Lautoka and Labasa. The surgery would cost a patient $45,000 in New Zealand. Mr Singh commended Fiji Water, Air Pacific, Air New Zealand, Suva Rotary, Lautoka Hospital and the Ministry of Health.
FIJI TIMES, November 08, 2008
