PM RABUKA’S REMARKS AT THE SECOND ANNIVERSARY OF THE SAI SANJEEVANI CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL AND GIFT OF LIFE CEREMONY- (24-04-2024)

SALUTATIONS

• Sadguru Sri Madhusudan Sai - Global
Humanitarian, Global Social Service Leader and
Founder of the Sanjeevani Hospitals Globally
and in Fiji
• Mr. Isaac Tigrett - Founder of the Hard Rock
Café
• Mr. Narasimha Murthy - Chancellor of the Sri
Sathya Sai University for Human Excellence

• The 23-member team of Surgeons, Doctors and
Specialists from USA and Australia
• Mr. Mahendra Tappoo & Mrs. Maya Tappoo -
Chairman & Founding Trustees of Sai Prema
Foundation
• Mr. Sumeet Tappoo - Chairman of Sai
Sanjeevani Children's Hospital
• Dr. Krupali Tappoo - Director of Sai Sanjeevani
Children's Hospital
• Trustees & staff of the Sai Prema Foundation &
Children's Hospital
• Distinguished Guests &
• Ladies and Gentleman.

Ni sa Bula Vina'a, and a very good evening, to you all. I would like to begin by acknowledging the
Traditional Owners and Custodians of the land on which we stand today, ki Nadonumai, vua na Turaga na Tui Suva
and pay my respect to their Chiefs past and present, as well as to emerging leaders and members of the Vanua o' Nadonumai who
may be present here this evening. I acknowledge their role in caring for the Vanua.

I am delighted to join you this evening to mark the second anniversary of the Sai Sanjeevani Children's Hospital and "Gift of
Life" Ceremony. All the children who have had life-saving heart surgeries at this hospital were suffering from congenital heart disease which is a birth defect. Since the inception of the 'Gift of Life' program by the Sai Prema Foundation, 260 children have received FREE life-saving heart surgeries.

In addition to the children of Fiji, the Hospital has opened its doors to children from our Pacific Island neighbors. Within the first year, the Hospital has fulfilled its promise to become the hub pediatric cardiac care for the Pacific region.

This is indeed a proud moment for Fiji. I am particularly pleased that we are also holding the "Gift of Life" ceremony this evening.

The ceremony honors the parents and children who the "Gift of Life" via life-saving heart surgery from the Sai Sanjeevani Hospital. The ceremony also honors the incredible surgical team for their efforts to save the lives of these precious children. The Sai Sanjeevani Hospital is truly a God- send for us in Fiji. While Government aims to provide quality, affordable and efficient health services for all, this can seem like a pipe-dream given our economic challenges. The establishment and incredible success of the Sai Sanjeevani Hospital therefore seems like an anomaly, or a fantastic unbelievable tale.

Until you look at the Founding Trustees and the Directors and their incredible vision and commitment to make this dream come true. The Peoples' Coalition have that same drive and determination to improve our health services.

Soon we will see a new 100-bed hospital built in Nasinu by the Government of India, to become reality soon. The team from the Indian Government presented their vision and drawings to Cabinet two weeks ago.

I am quietly confident that this will come to fruition soon, to increase access to life- saving cardiac surgery for adults in Fiji.

Welcome for Sadguru Sri Madhusudan Sai

Tonight is a momentous occasion as we have here with us in Fiji, the inspiration and example for this hospital. I now want to welcome a very special person on behalf of the Government and people of Fiji, let us welcome Sadguru!

We are grateful to him for being the inspiration behind the Hospital and various humanitarian projects and initiatives in Fiji. Sadguru spearheads a unique global mission across 32 Countries.

Since 2011, he has established institutes of excellence in Education, Healthcare, Nutrition and Spirituality across the world. This includes 27 educational campuses, a University in South India, and three institutions abroad (Nigeria, Laos and Australia) which are providing free values-based education to over 5,000 boys and girls.

In Muddenahalli, near Bangalore, which is also the epicentre for all the global service activities, a totally free 360-bed multi-
specialty hospital treats over 1,200 patients every day. This hospital is also the teaching hospital for the world's first free Medical University - The Sri Madhusudan Sai Institute of Medical Sciences and Research. Guided by the vision - "IN RURAL, FOR
RURAL" - this first-of-its-kind medical college was inaugurated by Honourable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji on 25
March 2023, and this free medical college will train doctors with who will dedicate themselves to serve the underserved, particularly in rural India, where their need is highest.

Today, ten speciality hospitals in India, and three hospitals abroad (Fiji, Sri Lanka, & Nigeria) are providing free healthcare.

Over 25,000 free paediatric cardiac surgeries have been done successfully. The Sri Sathya Sai Sanjeevani Paediatric Cardiac Hospitals are the world's largest chain of children's heart care hospitals without billing counters.

A morning nutrition programme nourishes over 1.2 million school-going children every single day in India, and across five countries. All services are offered absolutely FREE of cost to all without any discrimination. 12 Centres for Human Development in 11 countries have been established to the welfare of humanity.

About Sai Prema Foundation Fiji and the Sai Sanjeevani Children's Hospital

Please allow me to elaborate on the Sai Prema Foundation.

The Foundation is a registered non-profit charitable organisation in Fiji founded in 2016 to serve the poor and under-privileged
people of Fiji. It has established itself as a leading NGO in Fiji.

The Foundation has built a state-of-the-art medical centre as a general out-patient facility with emphasis on mother and child
care. It has served in excess of 25,000 Fijians free of charge so far.

The Foundation has established a state-of-the-art specialist Children's Heart Screening Centre with latest 4D technology to diagnose children suffering from heart disease.

So far, more than 16,000 heart screenings have been conducted on children free of charge through the centre and through outreach screenings in rural Fiji.

The Foundation has established a specialist children's heart hospital recognised by internationally renowned paediatric cardiac
surgeons as a facility on par with hospitals in USA, Europe or any of the highly developed countries.

This $25million state-of-the-art Pediatric Cardiac Super Speciality facility has been successfully treating children born with
congenital heart disease over the last two years.

Prior to the opening of this Hospital, there were no pediatric cardiac facilities available anywhere in Fiji or the Pacific and overseas treatment was unaffordable. The cost of overseas treatment is in excess of F$100,000. 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.

This Hospital is an answer to the prayers of thousands of mothers and families.

Heart disease is the number one killer among children and its high prevalence rate is of great concern.

There are hundreds of confirmed cases of heart disease diagnosed just through the Sai Sanjeevani Children's Heart Screening
Centre. These numbers are staggering and of course very concerning.

This is why this specialist Hospital was built and this is the largest investment in healthcare by an NGO in our nation's
history.

Despite the charitable nature of the project, the Sai Prema Foundation has created a world-class facility with the aim of providing
the best possible surgery and treatment to the children of Fiji and the Pacific.

The Hospital houses state-of-the-art equipment for its Operating Theatre, Intensive Care Unit, Pre-operative and Post- operative Wards.

The Hospital also includes a Training Centre with technological capabilities for international Video Conferencing.

When it was established, the vision of this children's hospital was to become the premier Pediatric Cardiac Centre for Fiji and
the Pacific Island nations.

I believe it has achieved this aim and I offer warm congratulations to the Trustees, Directors, staff and supporters of the Foundation!

It is truly satisfying that this Hospital has been recognized by the experts to be as good as any Hospital in the USA, Singapore,
Australia or New Zealand. The children of our nation and the region deserve the very best treatment and a prosperous future, contributing towards the welfare of our nation and the world. The Foundation has also successfully trained a Fijian doctor in India in the specialist area of pediatric cardiology.

I am also pleased to note that Government contributed towards the operational expenses of the Hospital via a Grant.

Other Work by Foundation

The Sai Prema Foundation has been serving the poor and under-privileged people of Fiji through various medical, education and
social service projects and initiatives. More than 6500 rural dwellers, children from various orphanages and patients from
aged-care homes have been served free of charge through outreach medical camps in the rural villages of Fiji.

Over 4million meals have been served through provision of grocery packs to the underprivileged people of Fiji especially
during the pandemic. The Foundation has also been the highest collector of blood over the years to support and supplement the national blood bank.

In conclusion, I again commend the Foundation which has built a hospital dedicated to saving the lives of children who
live with congenital heart disease.

This is truly a blessing and God-send to many families who would never have been able to afford open heart surgery abroad.

Without good Fijians like Mahendra, Maya, Sumeet and Krupali Tappoo, we would not be here today to celebrate the 260 surgeries successfully carried out right here in Fiji benefitting not only the children and families of Fiji, but also the Pacific.

What an achievement. Be blessed!

Vinaka Vakalevu, Dhaanyabaad, Merci Beaucoup! & Thank you.

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