What an exciting first day of our eye surgery on Taveuni! Our wonderful surgeons and their dedicated band of nurses and ancillary staff have set about restoring sight to the many hundreds of patients now on the island or travelling here. This is one of the highlights of the year for the Rotary Club of Taveuni and a huge effort has gone into making sure that everything runs smoothly.
The figures in the table at the bottom of this page will be updated at the end of each day of surgery.
FIRST SURGERY TODAY:
Rigieta Veitabei from Serua on Viti Levu was the first surgery of the 2019 eye project. Pictured is Dr Jeff Rutgard in one of the operating theatres at Taveuni hospital. Outside sit rows of patients who are waiting to be assessed or mentally preparing themselves for surgery. After surgery Rigieta will be escorted back to the sleep and rest area within the hospital and will await the removal of the dressings tomorrow. Good luck Rigieta.
STORIES FROM TODAY
Ari is from Yasawa-I-Rara island in the Yasawas, part of the province of Ba. He got to the hospital by flying in a very small aircraft to Nadi, then to Suva on the bus and finally on the Lomaiviti Princess to Taveuni .Ari is a retired public servant and is father to three lovely children. He generously offered to help me with translation today – my Fijian is still at a low level!
Sairusi is from Draubuta in the highlands of Viti Levu. That is his village you see above. His journey here was by truck from his village for an hour’s journey, then by bus to the Queens Road. Another bus trip to Queen’s wharf in Suva before joining the boat to Taveuni. No doubt when he gets home his wonderful family of three boys and four girls and his wife will be glad to have him back with them.
Tima is from Nayau an island of Fiji, a member of the Lau archipelago. She currently lives in Suva at Laucala Beach and is a retired public servant. She worked for the army and the police and is married to Philimone. They have 5 children. She is naturally a little nervous about what will happen to her today but I was able to assure her that she had nothing to fear.
Kumar is from Lautoka in Viti Levu. He is a vegetable farmer and lives with his wife and three children. He travelled to Suva by bus and then on the boat to Taveuni. He certainly is struggling with vision and is looking forward to having his operation and to the sight it will give him from tomorrow.
Sekove is from the village of Vunibau in the province of Serua. Serua is one of Fiji’s fourteen Provinces. Its 830 square kilometers occupy the southernmost areas of Viti Levu, being one of 8 provinces based on Fiji’s largest island. Sekove travelled to Taveuni by minibus and ferry. Sekove is married and has one lovely boy. He is a farmer and was quite excited about this journey.
TODAYS STATISTICS – updated at 5pm Fiji time
The Daily Report
| Daily Total | Project Total | Project News |
|---|---|---|
| Cataracts 26 | Cataracts 26 | Arrivals 46 |
| Pterygiums 5 | Pterygiums 5 | Departures 0 |
| No surgery needed 9 | No surgery needed 9 | Special Visitors 0 |
| Total Operations 31 | Total Operations 31 | |
The Rotary Club of Taveuni, in association with Rotary clubs in New Zealand, Australia and the United States, have made the eye project for Fiji their primary goal for the year. Please visit the Rotary Club of Taveuni here and Rotary International here for more information.