The Israeli Medical Team successfully performed ear, nose and throat operations for more than 20 patients over the past six days at the Suva Colonial War Memorial hospital.

Two-year-old Florabelle Tehilah Mosese had a new lease of life following her operation as for the first time since she was born she could breathe with ease.

Her father Fesikatoa Mosese termed her recovery as a miracle from heaven.

“This is all in God’s plan, to have a team from Israel come and heal my daughter,” an emotional Mr Mosese said.

“Our baby has been having problems with her breathing tube. It’s an amazing feeling knowing that God had ordained this day for his team to come and operate on her,” he said.

“He is a faithful God, we have been faithfully waiting on his provisions and he had sent his team from the State of Israel. Our families and I are forever grateful for the kind assistance towards our daughter and pray for peace of Jerusalem.

“We love you Israel,”

The Humanitarian arm of the Israeli Foreign Ministry, Mashav, team had arrived into the country on Sunday, July 23, screened the list of patients and operated on them last week.

Through Mashav, Israel has assisted more than 60 countries to alleviate shared global problems such as hunger, disease and poverty.

Dr Robert Berkowitz who conducted the surgery for Florabelle last Friday said the surgery involved opening up the scarred larynx (voice box) and repairing it with a rib graft.

He said the little girl had severe breathing problems since birth and the team managed to find a solution for her.

Dr Berkowitz said it would take six weeks or so for it to heal, before they could determine whether they could remove her tracheotomy (breathing tube) or not.

“She appears to have recovered well following the operation,” Dr Berkowitz said.

The visiting Israeli doctors have also been impressed with what they have seen at Suva CWM hospital where they say local doctors produced amazing results despite lack of resources.

The doctors’ coming to Fiji is part of the Jewish philosophy of going out to the world and help those in need.

Dr Michael Gordon (Ear Nose Throat surgeon) said there were no complication and they were happy about it.

“We received positive feedback from the patients and family members,” Dr Gordon said.

“We have doctors in Fiji who need our special services.”

They were very grateful to be here in Fiji and they were pleased that they were able to play their small part to patients who needed their help.

The last time a similar team came over on the same mission was in 2013. The medical team flew out yesterday and has confirmed that they will return next year.