Mobile companies Digicel and Vodafone have joined the Operation Open Heart surgeries campaign in Fiji by donating mobile phones to the team.
Digicel provided five handsets and free credit up to $1000 for team members, while Vodafone donated 10 handsets and $100 free talk-time for each free Vodafone mobile.
Digicel Fiji’s director marketing Ms Niamh Byrne said they were delighted to help.
“We are delighted to be given this opportunity to assist the Operation Open Heart team and their counterparts in the Ministry of Health. We’ve worked closely with the Ministry of Health in the recent past during Tropical Cyclone Mick and are keen to continue supporting the Ministry of Health in any way we can.”
Vodafone’s manager corporate affairs Mr Shailendra Prasad said they were happy to be associated with a team that has done so much for Fiji and its people.
“This is an honour to be associated with the Operation Open Heart team and we hope that this small donation will aid them in their work here,” Mr Prasad said.
Vodafone has also given $5,000 in cash to assist in the welfare of the doctors. The company is also broadcasting texts to its Vodafone customer base between the Suva, Lami and Nausori corridor to request for blood donation.
Ministry of Health spokesman Mr Iliesa Tora said they were grateful to both companies for their assistance.
“That will greatly help team members keep in touch with each other and our local team members. Most importantly to be easily contacted in the care of patients in the hospital,” Mr Tora added.
The Operation Open Heart team is aiming to operate on around 60 patients during a two-week period in Suva.
They commenced work at the Colonial War Memorial Hospital in Suva on May 15 and will complete their work in Suva May 30.