May 2008 RDU online (pdf) - Rotary Down Under

Fiji’s new dialysis centre
Amenatave Vio was given just 18 hours to live before he was
expected to succumb to kidney failure.
Had he died, the 30-year-old teacher would have become
another statistic to add to the 300 people annually who die from
this debilitating disease in Fiji.
Silafaga Baledrokadroka is a 65-year-old grandmother who
has lived in Chennai, India, for the past 11 months undergoing
haemodialysis with her 40-year-old daughter-in-law and
registered nurse Deborah looking after her. Deborah had to
leave her husband and four children in Fiji in order to care for
her mother-in-law in India.
But on March 13 this year the Kidney Foundation of Fiji
celebrated the end of an eight-year struggle, when Fiji’s first
haemodialysis centre was officially opened by the Indian High
Commissioner, Professor Prabhakar Jar.
‘
The centre is completely community
funded through the generous
donations from the public, private
and corporate sectors.
’
The Government of India was one of the major donors to
the dialysis centre. The dialysis centre has nine haemodialysis
machines and two dialysis technicians from Chennai, training
three local personnel for the next three years.
Past President of the Rotary Club of Suva, Fiji, Dewan Maharaj
and Club Services Director Resina Koroi have driven the
successful opening of this long awaited centre with the support
of fellow members.
The centre is completely community funded through
the generous donations from the public, private and
corporate sectors.
Amenatave Vio underwent emergency surgery by a visiting
Nephrologist from New Zealand, Dr. Kushma Nand, using
equipment procured by the dialysis centre. He is at present
receiving haemodialysis until a suitable donor can be found for
a kidney transplant.
Silafaga and Deborah are now back in Fiji, reunited with
their family. Silafaga undergoes dialysis three times a week
at the centre and Deborah is one of the nurses employed at
the centre.
These are just two of the hundreds of kidney patients who will
benefit from the Kidney Foundation of Fiji Dialysis Centre.
All this because Rotarians displayed Service above Self and Led
the Way to Share Rotary with others.
In doing so, they have “Made Dreams Real” for many.
Kalpesh Solanki
Rotary Club of Suva, Fiji ■
Club projects
Patient Amenatave Vio, right, on a dialysis machine is attended
by a member of staff at the Dialysis Centre.
CORPORATE LEADERS....
IMPROVE YOUR BOTTOM LINE
SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS & ADVERTISING
– A PROVEN COMBINATION!
RRotar y Down Under is proud to have nurtured
many successful advertising campaigns.
Our Rotarian Life section has been widely
acclaimed and has opened the door for a whole
new range of modern corporate concepts.
The Rotary Down Under web site is also being
developed as an exciting addition for business,
social and promotional benefits to Rotarians in
business.
ROTARIANS IN BUSINESS ...
Have you considered the advantages of
stimulating your business through the
pages of YOUR Rotary regional magazine,
Rotary Down Under and Rotarian Life?
DON’T DELAY A MOMENT LONGER!
Contact RDU’s advertising coordinators
Gay Kiddle & Sam Ausburn for full details
and information –
• New rate card and demographics
• Latest reader survey information
• Recent back copies of
the magazine
• Graphic artist advice on
layout and design
Contact Sam or Gay on 02 9633 4888 or
email advertising@rotarydownunder.com.au
Rotary Down Under, May 2008–––33