Neighbours in need of a hand

Kiwis on a life-saving trip to Samoa need our help - fast, writes Kieran Nash.
Dr Parma Nand holds a heart in his hands. Though a model, it shows all the valves and chambers in a healthy, functioning condition.
In Samoa, many hearts look far less healthy than this. Heart disease is widespread, with many people's heart valves scarred and weakened by overactive antibodies. This leads many Samoans to early graves from what is a preventable disease. Samoa does not have the services to treat heart disease.
Dr Nand and Auckland City Hospital's chief perfusionist, Tim Willcox, plan to fly a medical team of about 40  there in mid-2011  to treat those afflicted. (A perfusionist is a heart-lung specialist).
This Saturday, the New Zealand Good Samaritan Heart Mission to Samoa Trust is holding a black-tie dinner at SkyCity to raise money for the cause.
Dr Nand says the disease is prevalent across the wider region. "There's a lot of poverty in the South Pacific. With poverty comes disease. It's a disease of the under-privileged."
Mr Willcox concurs. "Rheumatic heart disease is endemic in Samoa. It's a real problem." However, if treated early, the disease is not fatal. "So they're dying of a curable problem. If the trust can get funds, it saves lives."
Rheumatic heart disease is 10 times more prevalent  among Pacific people than  Caucasians, says Mr Willcox. "We formed the trust because people in Samoa don't have access to heart surgery in Samoa."
One of their only options, he says, is to seek treatment in New Zealand, and people cannot afford it.
Dr Nand estimates medical treatment in New Zealand costs $45,000. With airfares and accommodation,  that figure climbs to $55,000.
For next year's medical mission, the team must raise about $200,000 to cover its costs, which include airfares, accommodation, some drugs and the cost of shipping eight tonnes of gear from  New Zealand hospitals. The rest of the items are donated, bringing the total amount to $600,000.
On this, the team's third trip to Samoa, it will screen 60-70 people and treat 12-15 cases.
As well as performing surgery, the group will  help Samoan clinicians prevent disease by spreading awareness.
Dr Nand and Mr Willcox urge Aucklanders to donate. "There's a lot of competition for charity but these are our  neighbours - that's why people have really got engaged with this."
Trust chairman Arthur Anae says his job is to  save lives. "We know that from history if this help isn't given, in two to three years they will die."
Troubled hearts
Rheumatic valvular heart disease  starts when a skin or throat infection leads to the body increasing its immune reaction - it begins to make antibodies to counteract the bacteria caused by infection.
However, too many antibodies are made, which then attack the heart's tissue, scarring its valves, which can lead to heart failure and death.
If the initial skin or throat infections are treated early with antibiotics,  disease can be avoided.
Tickets: Alena, NZ Good Samaritan Heart Mission to Samoa Trust, 021 483 458.