More than 300 Fijians have reaped the benefits of complex heart surgeries performed at Lautoka Hospital, made possible through a collaboration between MIOT International from India and Health Care (Fiji) Pte Ltd, operating as Aspen Medical. This partnership has been instrumental in enhancing cardiac care within Fiji, allowing patients the opportunity to receive essential, life-saving treatments locally—eliminating the financial and logistical challenges associated with seeking medical care abroad.
Lautoka Hospital has become a hub for various cardiac procedures, including open-heart surgery, minimally invasive heart bypass surgeries, diagnostic angiograms, angioplasty, and heart vessel stenting. Dr. Prithvi Mohandas, the Chief Executive of MIOT, highlighted that this collaboration is dedicated to delivering world-class cardiac care, significantly improving local medical standards over the past three years.
Since the launch of the hospital’s new Cath Lab in May 2025, close to 400 angiograms have been performed, with the dedicated 35-member cardiac team from MIOT treating over 700 patients. Aspen Medical, which manages Lautoka and Ba hospitals in partnership with the Fijian government, emphasized that this initiative is crucial for strengthening the healthcare system in Fiji and enhancing local medical capacities.
Looking ahead, the program plans to broaden its services concerning angioplasty and stenting of heart vessels while continuing to provide training for local medical professionals. This development signifies a hopeful outlook for individuals in need of cardiac care and represents a significant stride toward self-sufficiency in healthcare access in Fiji, thus improving overall quality of life for its citizens.
The positive progress made in healthcare indicates that Fiji is steadily becoming more resilient, better equipped to deliver vital medical services locally. As the capacity for advanced healthcare continues to develop, there is optimism that this will inspire improvements in other areas of medical care across the region, ultimately benefitting many individuals seeking essential medical support.