PanAust has sponsored a specialist medical team to fly into PNG and perform up to 40 specialist and reconstructive surgeries in East Sepik province.
The visit, arranged by Interplast Australia, aims to provide life-changing surgeries at no cost to disadvantaged communities and is part of PanAust subsidiary Frieda River’s commitment to improving healthcare.
The team consisted of experienced surgeons, nurses and an anaesthetist, all of whom conducted consultations and essential procedures in a handful of remote hospitals in PNG.
Interplast also arranged for patients treated by the company in 2017 to travel to East Sepik province for any follow-up surgery if required. The team worked alongside medical and nursing personnel at the Great Chief Somare Memorial Hospital in Wewak to deliver approximately 40 plastic and reconstructive surgeries.
“We know how difficult it is for remote communities to access specialist healthcare and I’ve witnessed first-hand how transformative the surgeries can be for patients and their families,” Frieda River project director Phil McCormack said.
“It’s a powerful reminder of how we can deliver immediate change in a way that benefits local communities and provincial governments.
PanAust and Frieda River Limited are proud to be able to offer these surgeries to the people of Papua New Guinea and to continue a long-standing partnership with Interplast.”
The Interplast team will also engage in knowledge exchange and training sessions with local medical staff to enhance their capacity to perform procedures independently in the future.
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