Dozens of children from Fiji and neighbouring Pacific nations are set to receive free life-saving heart surgeries this month, as part of a major medical initiative led by Stanford University’s Dr Shaun Setty. The Sri Sathya Sai Sanjeevani Children’s Hospital in Suva has announced that a new round of surgeries will be conducted from April 24 to 30, coinciding with its third anniversary. The surgeries target children suffering from congenital heart disease and aim to provide life-saving interventions regardless of a family’s ability to pay. Dr Setty, a highly respected cardiothoracic surgeon from Stanford University in California, has been instrumental in the hospital’s mission since it opened in April 2022. His team includes 17 international specialists, including an anesthesiologist from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), pediatric ICU nurses from Australia, and a clinical pharmacist from New Zealand. Hospital director Dr Krupali Tappoo expressed deep appreciation for the team’s ongoing commitment. “Their dedication brings hope and healing to families across the Pacific. They are also playing a key role in building local medical capacity,” she said. This latest surgical mission will benefit children from Fiji, the Solomon Islands, and Kiribati. The effort is supported by the Fijian Ministry of Health, which is providing local medical staff to assist during the procedures. Since its establishment, the hospital has conducted 363 free heart surgeries and over 30,000 echocardiograms through outreach and screening programmes. The mission will also welcome the hospital’s founder, Sadguru Sri Madhusudan Sai, to mark the anniversary. Dr Tappoo reaffirmed the hospital’s vision of transforming pediatric cardiac care across the region. “We will continue free screenings and treatment, ensuring no child is left behind due to financial hardship.” Feedback: inoke.rabonu@fijisun.com.fj