Dad tells of tough journey
WHEN Michael Tafunai learnt his oldest son was diagnosed with ventricular septal defect (VSD) in 2014, the news left him shattered.
At nine months old, Kenneth Tafunai had VSD — a condition in which there is a hole in the wall (septum) that separates the two lower chambers (ventricles) of the heart.
“After the doctor heard his heart beats, we were referred to the Colonial War Memorial Hospital (CWMH),” he said.
“We were told that whenever he would get sick, we had to always take him to the hospital straight away, whether it was a small cough or running nose. We had to take him because that would contribute to his condition.”
He said over the years, doctors said the hole was still small and it would close as he grew older.
“Unfortunately, that did not happen and last year, we were referred to Sri Sathya Sai Sanjeevani Children’s Hospital.”
Kenneth, now a nine-year-old, is a Year 4 student at Yat Sen Primary School.
According to Mr Tafunai, his son’s condition limited him from being able to play sports and often led to the youngster getting tired easily and falling sick.
“We brought him in for an echo and we were told that at this rate, the hole wasn’t going to close and that he needed an openheart surgery.”
Mr Tafunai, an electrician by profession, said he had to leave work for one year to look after his son in 2017.
“It hasn’t been an easy journey at all but we are so grateful to the surgeons at Sai Sanjeevani Children’s Hospital for taking care of my son.”
He urged parents to be alert at all times and take their children for regular checkups.