Esteemed Trustees,

Director of Sai Sanjeevani Children’s Heart Hospital Fiji, Dr. Krupali Tappoo,

Director of Sai Prema Foundation Fiji, Mr. Sumeet Tappoo,

Invited Guests,

Members of the Media,

Ladies, Gentlemen and Children,

Greetings and bula vinaka to you all.

I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to Sumeet and Dr. Krupali Tappoo for inviting me to this prestigious event. As one of the Deputy Prime Ministers of Fiji, I am humbled to be in the presence of some of the most brilliant minds in the field of Pediatric Cardiology.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Although I am not a medical professional, I am here to reaffirm the Coalition Government’s commitment to improving the health of our nation and to enhance the quality of medical services available to our people.

Today marks a historic moment for Fiji and the South Pacific region, as we host the Global Pediatric Cardiac Conference. It is encouraging to see the commitment of everyone present here today to raise awareness about the alarming incidence rates of pediatric cardiac disease in Fiji and the Pacific.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Through the keynote addresses and the breakout sessions, this conference will create a sustainable and defined pathway for the treatment of children in Fiji and the Pacific, through the Sai Sanjeevani Children’s Hospital.

I commend the incredible work done by the Sai Prema Foundation Fiji, which has served our nation with numerous healthcare, education, nutrition, and social service projects. Their establishment of the South Pacific’s first Super Speciality Hospital is the pinnacle of their contributions to our nation.

This $25 million state-of-the-art Pediatric Cardiac Super Speciality facility has been treating children born with congenital heart disease. Prior to its opening, there were no pediatric cardiac facilities available in Fiji or the Pacific, and overseas treatment was unaffordable.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am told, the Sai Sanjeevani Children’s Hospital does not have a billing counter, and all surgeries and treatments are completely free of cost. It is a matter of great pride that Fiji is the first nation in the Pacific and Oceania region to have such a hospital.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am grateful to the Sai Sanjeevani Children’s Hospital and Sai Prema Foundation Fiji for organising this Global Pediatric Cardiac Conference – a first for Fiji. I am also delighted to acknowledge that this conference is accredited by Stanford Medical, another first for Fiji.

It is inspiring to see that the conference has attracted globally renowned and leading Pediatric Cardiac Surgeons and Specialists from all over the world. I would like to extend a special welcome to Professor Kalangos from Turkey, Dr. Ignacio from Argentina, and Dr. Shaun Setty from the USA, and keynote speakers from around the World who will participate today.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I would also like to express my gratitude to the incredible 21-member team who are here from the USA, Australia, New Zealand, India and Oman, led by Dr. Shaun Setty. Thank you for coming to Fiji and for saving the lives of so many of our children, giving them life-saving heart surgeries and a new Gift of Life.

To all the delegates present here today, whether in person or participating virtually, I wish you all the best. I urge you to seize this opportunity and learn as much as you can from the most brilliant minds in pediatric cardiology – who are here to share their years of experience and knowledge.

Last but not the least, I extend my gratitude to the Director of the Sai Sanjeevani Children’s Hospital, Dr. Krupali Tappoo, for honouring me with the invitation to be here today.

As we all know, Governments cannot do it alone, it requires the collaboration of various stakeholders to lift standards and achieve excellence. The Coalition Government and I have found such a partner in the Sai Prema Foundation and the Sai Sanjeevani Children’s Hospital, and we look forward to working together to serve the people of Fiji.

In closing, I wish you all fruitful deliberations and commend the Sai Prema Foundation Fiji and Sai Sanjeevani Children’s Hospital Fiji for being true ambassador’s in “Loving All – and Serving All”. Vinaka vakalevu. Thank you very much.