Having grown up in Fiji, I recently had the privilege of leading a medical mission to Labasa Divisional Hospital as part of the Friends of Fiji Health (FOFH) team. This mission was particularly meaningful to me, as it allowed me to contribute directly to the health and well-being of the people in a place I once called home.

The trip brought together a group of dedicated specialists from New Zealand with one goal: to provide life-changing urology care to those who need it most.

FOFH, a New Zealand-registered charity, has been bridging healthcare gaps in Fiji since 2010. By assembling teams of volunteer medical professionals, the organisation delivers specialised treatments and empowers local healthcare workers with training. This year, our eight-person team embarked on FOFH’s first urology-focused mission to Labasa Divisional Hospital.

The team included Professor Kamran Zargar (Urologist), Dr Tom Fernandez (Anaesthetist), Ezy Berwick (Anaesthetic Technician), Ariane Araquel-Lacamiento (Urology Nurse Practitioner), Rajesh Chaudhary (chairman of FOFH), Karen Alden (Olympus Representative and Registered Nurse), Bryce Jones (Olympus Service Technician) and myself.

The mission was only possible because of the combined expertise, hard work, and compassion of the entire team. From the surgeons and anaesthetists to the nurses and logistical support, each member played a critical role in ensuring its success. Over five days, the team treated 25 patients free of charge, providing procedures many had waited years for.

Our partners and sponsors made an equally vital contribution. ASAP Finance served as our platinum elite sponsor, and the generous support of Olympus and Medtronic provided state-of-the-art medical equipment valued at half a million dollars. This included the Olympus Thulium Soltive laser and advanced endoscopic tools, enabling us to perform minimally invasive surgeries, including laser lithotripsy for kidney stones.

Labasa Hospital became the first hospital in Fiji (public or private) to offer these advanced treatments. One particularly memorable moment for the team was the successful flexible ureteroscopy and laser lithotripsy procedure performed on Ms. Sumitra Sundar, a patient who had endured kidney stones for over six years. Her procedure was the first to be performed in Fiji. Her joy and relief after her non-invasive surgery underscored the profound impact of this collective effort. Instead of recovering for weeks from a large incision from open surgery, she was able to leave the hospital the same day.

In addition to providing direct care, the team prioritised education and knowledge-sharing. Working closely with local doctors, including Fiji’s only public urologist, Dr. Rajeev Patel, we offered hands-on training to help build long-term medical capacity. This focus on skills development ensures that the benefits of the mission extend far beyond the immediate surgeries.

The warm welcome and collaboration we experienced from the Labasa Hospital staff and the local community were truly humbling. From the Labasa Hospital Visitors Board to the Vodafone Festival of the Friendly North Committee and Rotary Labasa, who supported us in many practical ways, the spirit of partnership was evident everywhere.

This mission reflects what can be accomplished when expertise, resources, and dedication converge. While we were led by a shared commitment to improving healthcare access, the outcomes were made possible by every individual who played their part—team members, sponsors, and the local medical professionals we worked alongside.

FOFH’s work in Fiji continues to demonstrate the power of teamwork to create sustainable, meaningful change. Together, we brought hope to patients, shared valuable knowledge, and planted the seeds for a stronger healthcare future in Fiji.