Members and volunteers of the Friends of Fiji Health (FOFH) Foundation stepped up another gear with their latest health mission to Fiji.
The group left Auckland on June 22.
Gynaecology and Obstetrics Surgeon Dr Sunil Pillay, who is leading the group, said that it was the fifth mission undertaken by the Foundation.
During their visit in September last year, the Foundation had installed a Laparoscopic Tower donated by the Gilles Avenue Hospital at the Lautoka Hospital in Fiji (Indian Newslink, October 1, 2011).
Dr Pillay said that donations from a number of people have helped the Foundation to undertake missions to Fiji, provide medical treatment, and conduct surgery, saving lives of poor people.
He said doctors, specialists and medical practitioners would train local doctors in laparoscopic surgery during their current visit.
“This is step change for Fiji’s medical system as less invasive surgical methods will now be readily available to local surgeons through the most up-to-date technology. This is an exciting development to deliver quality medical services made possible by the Foundation,” he said.
Dr Pillay would be working with Dr Rajendra Kumar an experienced specialist in Obstetrics and Gynaecology from Waitemata Health during the Fiji mission.
“It has always been the vision of FOFH to develop the capacity of Fiji’s health system in addition to complementing it with our medical and surgical visits. This mission takes a giant step towards achieving that goal,” Dr Pillay said.
He said that he and his team were working in partnership with the Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department at Lautoka Hospital and the Medical School through the Fiji National University.
“We will be conducting teaching sessions at the University and practical sessions at Lautoka Hospital,” Dr Pillay said.
For the first time since the Foundation began its mission, visiting doctors will have an additional base in Labasa (Vanua Levu). Surgeons, Dr Ravindra Raj and Dr Shiu Kumar will be providing respite for local doctors as well as scoping future missions to that region.
FOFH is a New Zealand-based Trust that complements the health system in Fiji with missions made up entirely of New Zealand based volunteers.
Dr Pillay acknowledged the contributions received from several suppliers including Johnson and Johnson, 3M, Olympus and Big Green Medical Supplies who will also send an expert to Fiji.
FOFH finances its missions through fund raising activities and for every dollar raised it provides eighteen dollars’ worth of medical services in Fiji.
Dr Rajen Prasad is Member of Parliament on Labour List and supports many community initiatives such as the Friends of Fiji Health Foundation.
