Australian Volunteer Medical Team to Perform Life-Saving Surgeries at Port Moresby General Hospital

​Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea - This weekend, a dedicated team of eight volunteer nurses and doctors from Open Heart International (OHI), Australia, will perform life-saving open heart surgeries at the Port Moresby General Hospital’s Operation Open Heart Centre.

The team, led by heart surgeon Dr. Jayme Bennetts, arrived yesterday with plans to operate on six to seven patients during their stay. "I am hoping to do at least two a day for the next few days," Dr. Bennetts stated, emphasizing that the actual number will depend on patient readiness for surgery.

In addition to performing surgeries, the volunteer team aims to train and impart vital skills to the local heart surgeons. "We are all here volunteering to come and help build upon the local team and the local heart surgeries you have here to offer some operations over the next four or five days to patients that may not get the surgery done otherwise," Dr. Bennetts added. The goal is to enhance the expertise of the local medical team, ensuring sustainable heart care even when the international team is not present. "So that more patients can have access to proper heart care and surgery for their heart problems," he said.

The collaboration will see the international team working closely with local counterparts, including Dr. Noah and his team at the Port Moresby General Hospital’s open heart operations. The Australian team is scheduled to depart on Monday.

Open Heart International has been providing open heart surgeries since 1993, marking this year as their 31st year of service. Historically, OHI teams have included 50 to 60 specialists. However, this year’s team is smaller, reflecting a shift in focus from direct service delivery to training and capacity building.
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