This World Heart Day 2025, the Sanjeevani Children’s Hospital in Fiji not only stands as a beacon of hope and healing for children across the Pacific but continues its mission of providing life-saving cardiac care at no cost. The hospital recently completed its 22nd surgical mission, bringing together an international team of 19 experts, including prominent pediatric heart surgeon Professor Afksendiyos Kalangos from Greece. This mission successfully conducted 14 critical heart surgeries, marking a significant milestone of 400 free life-saving procedures since the hospital’s establishment in April 2022.
These surgical achievements present a powerful testament to the hospital’s dedication, impacting 400 lives, restoring dreams, and securing futures for families across Fiji and the Pacific Islands. Operating as the South Pacific’s premier pediatric cardiac super-specialty hospital, Sanjeevani proves that quality healthcare is a right for every child, offering complimentary surgeries and treatments.
Since its inception, the hospital has provided over 37,227 heart screenings and 408 surgeries entirely for free, reinforcing its vision of ensuring no child is deprived of heart care. World Heart Day 2025, celebrated under the banner “Don’t Miss a Beat,” underscores Sanjeevani’s promise that every child has access to life-saving cardiac interventions.
Professor Kalangos and Dr. Nataliya Shatelen, accompanied by health professionals like Pigi Maraki, have extended more than just medical aid; they’ve presented certificates and gifts, symbolizing hope and newfound life, to young heart champions such as Faith Kedrabuka and Maraia Korai. Their global mission resonates with the global call of World Heart Day, ensuring every heartbeat is significant and every child’s life matters.
The hospital’s commitment transcends surgical success. It fosters regional care by collaborating with international experts, ensuring educational advancements in local medical capacities. The unwavering support from medical teams worldwide and local community involvement echoes the potential of collective compassion in transforming healthcare landscapes.
Sanjeevani’s endeavors highlight the hospital’s steadfast commitment to eliminating economic barriers to pediatric healthcare in Fiji and the Pacific. Its concerted efforts not only improve health outcomes but also spread awareness and hope, ensuring a brighter, healthier future for the region’s children. The hospital remains a shining example of empathy and collaboration in healthcare, proving that compassionate service can create profound differences in communities’ lives.