An elated Kusum Lata with PSH founder and CEO Parvish Kumar, second from right, and his medical team. Photo: SHALENDRA PRASAD.
By SHALENDRA PRASAD | photojournalist.fiji@gmail.com
PSH founder and CEO Parvish Kumar.
A Lautoka woman has received a renewed lease of life following her successful open-heart surgery at the Pacific Specialist Healthcare Hospital (PSH) in Legalega, Nadi on Monday (November 11).
Kusum Lata, 61, of Natabua went through a delicate surgical procedure known as “Coronary Artery Bypass Graft” (CABG) in what is believed to be a milestone achievement and a first of its kind for the Nadi based specialist state-of-the-art hospital.
A team of specialists carrying out the open-heart surgery on Kusum Lata at PSH on Monday, November 11.
A team of highly trained Cardio Thoracic specialists carried out a “triple” graft procedure without any complications.
When interviewed on Wednesday evening, Ms Lata who is married with three children said she could not thank the management and staff of PSH enough for what they have done at such a short time and at a fraction of the cost.
“When I initially started having severe chest pains that was followed by a minor heart attack back in June this year, my family was told by doctors in Lautoka to arrange $50,000 to make a trip to India with one accompanying family member to carry out the open-heart surgery,” Ms Lata said.
“It is at that point a family member suggested that we should explore further opportunities locally and PSH was the first hospital that came to mind,” she added.
“We were so elated upon enquiry that the procedure could be performed locally right here in Nadi and that too at almost a quarter of the money we were initially told to arrange for the trip to India.
“I am feeling so relieved, and all my pains have diminished after my operation, and I want to wholeheartedly thank the owner Parvish Kumar and all the staff members of this great hospital for opening doors with such specialist healthcare services for the people of Fiji.
“The staff here have looked after me so well and have taken good care of me since I got admitted right up to now and I pass my blessings and love to them all for their kindness.
“I cannot wait to unite with my family soon and cuddle my grandchild also.”
PSH founder and director Parvish Kumar said the open-heart procedure and the setting up of the all-new cardiology department at the hospital was not an overnight exercise.
“The occurrence of the open-heart surgery procedure and setting up of the cardiology department is a culmination of meticulous planning and 15-months of hard work and investment in cutting-edge technology and great collaboration between all disciplines at PSH,” Mr Kumar said.
Heart patient Kusum Lata of Lautoka after a successful open-heart surgery at PSH in Nadi.
“It is such a coincidence that Ms Lata was at the right place and at the right time – that is at PSH to inquire about our cardiology services.
“My entire team is so happy for Kusum and her family as we have given her hope to carry on with life and offered her the best of services at a fraction of what it would have cost overseas,” Mr Kumar added.
He said while the procedure would have cost the family around $50,000 in India, this figure would have tripled or even increased six-folds in comparison to other countries.
“This first-ever successful open-heart surgery and the various other specialist services which we are currently offering and the services we intend to roll out in the near future effectively paves the way for us to market Fiji as a health tourism destination,” Mr Kumar revealed.
“We will be meeting various stakeholders to promote Fiji with a targeted health market segment by offering a holiday destination which offers state-of-the-art healthcare facilities at a fraction of the cost compared to other destinations around the world.”
ENDS…
Shalendra Prasad is a former community newspaper publisher and freelance photojournalist based in Nadi, Fiji.
The entire PSH team behind the first-ever successful open-heart surgery on Monday, November 11.
