Fiji will soon be the home of South Pacific’s first Pediatric Cardiac Super Speciality Hospital. The Sri Sathya Sai Sanjeevani Children’s Heart Hospital will be the answer to thousand and thousands of mothers in Fiji and the South Pacific Island nations.
HOSPITAL ANSWERS PRAYERS
So why is this Hospital being built? The answer is simple. Hundreds of children in Fiji and thousands in the South Pacific Island countries are dying of Congenital Heart Disease. There are NO pediatric cardiac services available for the children in Fiji and South Pacific. Treatment overseas is too costly. Thousands of children and their families have no hope.
This hospital will literally be the beacon of hope for the children and their parents.
This is being by Sai Prema Foundation Fiji – a Non-Government Organisation (NGO) and a registered Charitable Organisation under the Charitable Trusts Act of Fiji, founded to serve the poor, underprivileged and needy people of Fiji through Medicare, Educare and Sociocare initiatives.
Since 2016, Sai Prema Foundation has become one of the premier NGO’s in Fiji with the implementation of over a dozen projects and initiatives which has successfully impacted the underprivileged and needy people of Fiji.
Pursuant to the principles of the Foundation, the recipient never pays for the services offered. These include all services offered at the Sanjeevani Medical Centre and Children’s Heart Screening Centre, both of which are our projects in partnership with the Government and were inaugurated by Prime Minister of Fiji Hon. Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama. The Centre has treated over 14,000 patients completely free of charge.
The Gift of Life heart surgeries project has saved 71 lives of children whose families could not afford the life-saving treatment. These surgeries have saved over $7million for the families of these children.
The Foundation’s feeding program has served over 750,000 meals since inception since 2016 to the needy and vulnerable families and our medical outreach program has served over 6,500 Fijians in rural villages of Fiji with free healthcare and medication.
The Foundation’s commitment to serve these children and their families is exemplified with the building of South Pacific’s first Children’s Heart Hospital in Suva, Fiji.
SPEARHEADED BY BOLLYWOOD SINGER SUMEET TAPPOO
The Director of the Foundation is Mumbai-based Bollywood singer Sumeet Tappoo. Sumeet is spearheading the mission along with his wife Dr. Krupali Tappoo – an Australian qualified Doctor.
The couple have decided to give back to their home country and are humbled by the opportunity to serve
“Serving humanity is serving God. Through the multitude of projects implemented through Sai Prema Foundation, it is truly heartwarming to see that the Foundation is able to make a real difference to the lives of the underprivileged and needy people of Fiji” said Sumeet Tappoo.
This $25 million development currently under construction is the largest project ever undertaken by any NGO in Fiji’s history. This Hospital project is in association with the Ministry of Health and the Government of Fiji which has provided the land for this purpose.
“It is in fact a matter of great pride that Fiji will be the first nation in the Pacific and Oceania region to have a specialist Children’s Heart Hospital treating children with Congenital Heart Disease (CHD). Our Foundation has identified Congenital Heart Disease (CHD) as a major problem affecting the children of Fiji and the Pacific. Approximately 200 children are born in Fiji and approximately 2,500 children are born in the Pacific with CHD. The sad fact is that most children are unable to survive” added Sumeet.
Professionally, Sumeet Tappoo has performed over 1,000 concerts internationally and has released over 30 albums both solo and in collaboration with legends of Bollywood. His brilliant rendition of “Neela Aasman” in the presence of Sri Amitabh Bachchan is a testimony to his rise to be among the brightest stars in the Indian music industry.
SIRF DIL, NO BILL
The vision of this soon-to-be opened children’s free heart hospital is to become the most important Pediatric Cardiac Care Centre for Fiji and the Pacific Island nations. Pursuant to the principles of the Foundation, no child or parent will pay for the surgery.
“You know what is most special? All services at the Hospital including Heart Surgery will be provided completely free of charge. Sirf dil, no bill!”.
The construction of the Hospital is well advanced and the Hospital will be officially inaugurated soon after the opening up of the international borders. This hospital will make this the largest charitable project undertaken by an NGO in the history of Fiji.
Despite the charitable nature of the project, the Sai Prema Foundation is creating a world-class facility with the aim of providing the best possible surgery and treatment to the children of Fiji and the Pacific. The Hospital will house state-of-the-art equipment for its Catheterization Lab, Operation Theatre, Intensive Care Unit, Pre-Operation and Post-Operation Wards. The Hospital will also include a Training Centre with technological capabilities for international Video Conferencing. The Sai Prema Foundation is committed to providing free training abroad for Fijians in its bid to build local capacity with a vision of one day transforming this specialist Hospital into one which is run with local Fijian Surgeons, Doctors and Medical personnel.
AWARD FROM GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
Sai Prema Foundation Fiji was bestowed with the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award 2021. This is the highest award conferred by the President of India for organizations outside of India. Sai Prema Foundation was among four international organizations awarded for their “Outstanding Service to Society”. The award was announced at the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas in New Delhi on 9th January 2021. The event was graced by the Prime Minister of India. Hon. Sri Narendra Modi.
In a short span, Sai Prema Foundation has signed collaborative partnerships with a whole host of international and local organisations including The Government of the Republic of Fiji, United Nations Development Program (UNDP), Fiji Red Cross Society, Fiji National University, University of the South Pacific, Health in Kind Australia and Heart to Heart Foundation USA.
A FABULOUS OPPORTUNITY FOR FORMER FIJIANS TO PARTICIPATE
NRI’s and former Fiji residents are always looking for opportunities to give back to their motherland. This is a perfect opportunity for all former Fiji residents to give back to their country of birth by saving the lives of thousands of children who otherwise would have no future.
