Fiji faces heart crisis

Cardiovascular diseases are the primary cause of mortality in Fiji, a situation exacerbated by increasingly unhealthy lifestyles, according to Dr. Sanjeev Kumar Khubey, a cardiologist at Pacific Specialist Healthcare. While Fiji has developed specialized medical care for these conditions, Dr. Khubey stressed the urgent need for locals to adopt more health-conscious habits. He identified non-communicable diseases (NCDs) as a major issue, with cardiovascular deaths accounting for the majority of NCD-related mortality. Dr. Khubey pointed to lifestyle as a significant contributor, noting a shift from traditional healthy diets to modern habits that favor preserved, frozen, or fried foods, even when fresh options like fish are readily available. The Sri Sathya Sai Sanjeevani Heart Hospital has become a vital resource, performing over 470 free life-saving heart surgeries since its 2022 opening. The hospital has expanded its services to adults, responding to the growing burden of heart disease across Fiji and the Pacific. An estimated 200 children in Fiji and 2500 across the Pacific are born with congenital heart disease annually, with overseas treatment costing upwards of $50,000. Stephanie Lenert, an Australian philanthropy and partnerships specialist, has relocated to Suva to bolster partnerships and enhance access to cardiac care, bringing over 18 years of experience in the non-profit sector.

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NCDs is a major issue in Fiji. Currently cardiovascular deaths are the major cause of NCD-related mortality in Fiji.