A 14-year-old Samoan girl travelled to Fiji on Sunday for corrective heart surgery fully funded by Pasifika Specialist Healthcare Samoa (PSH Samoa), as the healthcare provider begins putting its humanitarian vision for Samoa into practice.
The girl, whose identity will remain confidential, has a longstanding heart condition associated with rheumatic fever.
She was assessed during the PSH team’s recent visit to Samoa by cardiac specialist Dr Sanjeev Khulbey, who identified the need for corrective surgery.
Following the assessment, PSH Founder and Managing Director Tagaloafaaofonuu Parvish Kumar offered to provide the treatment at no cost to her family.
PSH is funding the child’s corrective heart surgery at PSH Nadi, as well as return airfares and accommodation in Fiji for her and her mother. They travelled to Fiji on Sunday, 20 September, for treatment.
Tagaloafaaofonuu said the assistance reflects the wider purpose behind PSH’s planned expansion into Samoa, to ensure all citizens have access to modern and inclusive specialist healthcare.
“We came to Samoa to break ground for a hospital, but while we were there, we were given an opportunity to help a young Samoan child access the treatment she needs,” he said.
“That is what this vision is about. It is not just about constructing a building. It is about people being able to access modern healthcare when they need it.”
Tagaloafaaofonuu Parvish Kumar, Managing Director of the PSH group and PSH Samoa says he came from a struggling family, and that is why inclusive access to specialist healthcare is important to him.
The assistance is being provided through the Pacific Specialist Healthcare Foundation, which helps patients obtain specialist treatment when the cost would otherwise place that care beyond their reach.
The Foundation is supported by donations from PSH partners and individuals who have received treatment from its healthcare specialists. PSH hopes it will become an important part of the organisation’s future presence in Samoa and provide another pathway for vulnerable patients to receive necessary specialist care.
PSH Samoa says its vision extends beyond establishing a private hospital in Savai‘i. At the centre of the project is a commitment to bring modern and specialist healthcare closer to Samoan families, particularly vulnerable people and those who cannot afford to travel overseas for treatment.
As part of this humanitarian commitment, PSH Samoa intends to provide free medical care to victims of domestic violence, including children who have experienced sexual abuse.
PSH currently provides free medical care to Fijian citizens aged 65 years and over and Tagaloafaaofonuu says they are also exploring how a similar programme could be introduced for senior citizens and pensioners over 65 in Samoa.
“A private hospital can still have a very strong social purpose,” he said.
“Modern healthcare should not only be available to those who can afford to travel overseas. Our vision is to bring that care closer to our Pacific people by establishing PSH across the Pacific.”
The proposed specialist hospital in Savai‘i is currently paused while PSH restructures its local governance and shareholding arrangements.
PSH has stressed that the development has not been abandoned or cancelled and that its commitment to Samoa remains unchanged.
SGN provides free advertising to all schools in Samoa.
For the 14-year-old girl and her family, however, PSH’s vision is already being translated into action—providing access to life-changing specialist treatment when it is most needed.
“We were not born with money. We came from struggling families and that’s why we are passionate about making specialist healthcare accessible and inclusive for everyone..,” adds the PSH Founder.
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