Solomon Airlines assists Pikinini Foundation

Solomon Airlines has added its support to the important work of the The Pikinini Heart Foundation, a Solomon Islands NGO comprised of local doctors and other professionals, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health & Medical Services.

The foundation is committed to volunteering to save the lives of Solomon Islands children who suffer life threatening heart conditions, by sending them overseas for treatment not available locally.

On Saturday 15th April eight young heart patients flew to Fiji for life-saving medical treatment. The extended party of 17 also included parents and guardians, organisers and local doctors travelling with the children.

Whilst in Fiji, the children were admitted to the Sri Sathya Sai Sanjeevani Children’s Hospital in Suva.  At the hospital, they are being attended to by visiting surgical teams from Australian and USA.

Solomon Airlines assisted to make the urgent flight arrangements and also provided flights for 10 year old Chris Warren, a heart patient from Visale, West Guadalcanal who was accompanied by his mother Clotilda Mae. Others in the party were sponsored by ROMAC and private volunteers.

Dr Maryanne Kora’ai, a Solomon Islander working in Fiji initially made an extensive screening in consultation with cardiologist and Padiatric Cardiac surgeons, enabling the children to be identified and sent to Fiji for potentially lifesaving treatment.

Also working tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure the children and their helpers including two local doctors could travel as soon as possible, were Katalaina Ziru, Calvin Ziru, Rose M Martin & Jack Martin.

“We commend The Pikinini Heart Foundation founders and team and all who are involved, and wish for the very best outcomes for the children,” said CEO of Solomon Airlines Mr Gus Kraus.

“This is a truly compassionate effort to support children who are in need of urgent expert medical assistance,  and we were very pleased to assist,” he added.