Latest news with #FriendsofFijiHeartFoundationNZ
NZ Herald
25-05-2025
- Health
- NZ Herald
Family mourn ‘hero' Auckland heart surgeon Dr Parma Nand
Speaking publicly for the first time, his daughter, Komal Nash, told the Herald it had been an overwhelming experience to see and hear about the many lives her father had touched in his work as a surgeon. 'He's always been a hero to me, growing up. He came from nothing and made sure that I had everything in my life - he supported me with my education and gave me absolutely everything,' Nash, a lawyer, said. 'So seeing how many other people consider him their hero has been really touching and overwhelming. 'In a time of intense grief, it brings me a lot of comfort to know that he's changed a lot of lives and saved a lot of people. 'My heart is broken, but I know he mended a lot of other hearts. I'm just a very proud daughter.' Nand was also the father of 16-year-old twins Thomas and William and grandfather of Sierra, 3, and 1-year-old Rumi. Nand worked as a cardiothoracic surgeon - specialising in surgeries on the heart, lungs and other structures in the chest - for about 30 years at Mercy Ascot and Auckland City hospitals. His philanthropic work and drive to give back to his homeland of Fiji and other parts of the Pacific made him a well-respected figure in the region. In 2006, Nand organised a team of medical staff - including surgeons, specialists and nurses - to travel to Fiji to give free operations to locals who would otherwise not be able to afford it. That first trip turned into the Friends of Fiji Heart Foundation NZ and over the years, a total of 15 missions to Fiji have taken place - resulting in more than 770 surgical treatments and 4200 screening assessments and associated services for Fijian residents. From extreme poverty to sought-after surgeon At yesterday's service, many of the audience included members of the medical profession and those from different parts of the Indian, Fijian and Fijian-Indian communities. Fellow cardiothoracic surgeon and friend, Dr Krish Chaudhuri, described Nand as more than a mentor - he was a brother. Chaudhuri shared how Nand had emailed him an autobiographical summary of his life a few years ago. Reading out his friend's words, mourners heard about Nand's humble beginnings in Fiji. 'I lived in extreme poverty with 10 siblings. We sometimes struggled to have food on the table. 'Our parents were small-time tailors with limited income. Our family income was supplemented by a small volume of 5 litres of milk to sell daily to township households. 'The milk was delivered approximately 4km away by bicycle every morning before school by my eldest siblings and later by myself.' Despite school fees costing $3 per term, Nand was often dragged out of the classroom as his parents could not afford to pay them. 'We were probably the poorest family in the community.' Chaudhuri acknowledged how Nand's humble beginnings had pushed him to work hard in life - and never forgetting to give back to those in need. 'When we look at his life story, we see that he may have started off as a pawn, but he made it to become the most significant piece on the chessboard - the king.' A new scholarship for surgeons in Fiji Chaudhuri revealed that over the years, he and Nand had discussed how financially difficult it was becoming to fund the annual missions to Fiji. Instead, Nand thought it would be a good idea to start training doctors and surgeons from Fiji here in New Zealand, to improve their skills and ultimately carry out the life-saving operations themselves. Nash said the family was passionate about that idea and organising a scholarship under Nand's name. 'It's like you're teaching them to fish, so they can set up their own unit and be sustainable and not have to rely on these missions every year. 'He always spoke about going back to Fiji and helping the less fortunate.'
NZ Herald
08-05-2025
- Health
- NZ Herald
Auckland surgeon Dr Parma Nand, known for Fiji missions, dies at 64
The 64-year-old died on Sunday after a short illness. Friend and colleague Kirit Patel paid tribute to a doctor who had a heart for people and service. 'He was quite exceptional,' Patel said. 'He came from a very poor family and back in 2006, he wanted to go to Fiji to give free heart operations – particularly rheumatic heart valve replacement surgery, which is quite complex but pretty prevalent in Fiji.' Nand reached out to his medical colleagues and professional friends, including Patel, a banker, for help to get to Fiji that year. He organised fundraising efforts and medical equipment to carry out the operations. Dozens of people, including fellow surgeons, doctors and specialists, stepped up and offered their services for free. A giant among surgeons That first trip turned into what became the Friends of Fiji Heart Foundation NZ, which Nand founded. The services they have carried out include open-heart surgeries, pacemaker implants, screenings, angiography and angioplasties. Since 2006, 15 missions to Fiji have taken place, resulting in more than 770 surgical treatments and 4200 screening assessments and associated services for Fijian residents who would otherwise not be able to afford those operations or treatments. The foundation's last mission was in 2023. Achievements on that trip included 25 patients being implanted with a total of 45 valves, 312 people receiving pacemaker checks and 39 patients being given new implants. Nand's achievements have been recognised by the Fijian Government. Fiji's Deputy Prime Minister Professor Bisman Prasad said the island nation had lost a giant among surgeons. 'Dr Nand achieved name, fame and acclaim – but he never, for once, forgot that Fiji was his land of birth.' A 'deeply humble' leader Prasad said Nand 'was not only an embodiment of wisdom in his profession; but was deeply humble, kind, caring – a true son of Fiji'. 'Fiji is poorer for his passing.' On the RateMDs website, where patients rate their doctors, Nand's 71 reviews have a 99% five-star rating. Among the comments are patients who have thanked him for a second chance at life. 'Four years since you gave me a mechanical aortic heart valve. What a wonderful journey at life you have given me. Your skill has allowed me... to see my family and grandchildren.' Patel, who is also a trustee for the Friends of Fiji Heart Foundation, said thousands of lives were changed because of Nand's service. 'But he was the humblest of all souls. 'On one of the rare occasions that we got him on stage, he said, 'Don't shine the light on me. There are many others behind me'. That's how he was.' A private funeral service is due to be held this week for Nand, while a memorial service is being organised for friends and colleagues.
