NZ Medical Team Conducts Operations In The North
A four-member medical team from Auckland City Hospital in New Zealand is on a mission at Labasa Hospital.
This is its third visit, which has been made possible through Friends of Fiji Health.
The team started its operations yesterday and ends on Saturday.
The team will conduct laparoscopic surgery to 18 patients and carry out daily workshops for local health workers.
A former staff member of Auckland Hospital and Fertility Associates Dr Sunil Pillay is leading the team in its mission over the six days.
Mr Pillay is accompanied by a team of specialists including Dr Deralie Flowers, Dr Pip Walker and anaesthetist Dr Andrew Pitch.
He said their mission was to undertake a number of complex cases and complete training in laparoscopic surgery for local surgeons.
“As well as training technicians in the care and maintenance of complex equipment,” he said.
“Patients to undergo surgeries were reviewed by local doctors. Two patients are from the Colonial War Memorial Hospital and one from Lautoka Hospital.”
Laparoscopy, also known as diagnostic laparoscopy, is a surgical diagnostic procedure used to examine the organs inside the abdomen.
It’s a low risk, minimally invasive procedure that requires only small incisions.
The surgery requires an instrument called a laparoscope to look at the abdominal organs.
A laparoscope is a long, thin tube with a high-intensity light and a high-resolution camera at the front.
“The instrument is inserted through an incision in the abdominal wall,” Mr Pillay said,
“As it moves along, the camera sends images to a video monitor. Laparoscopy allows your doctor to see inside your body in real time, without open surgery.”
Friends of Fiji Health have developed its approach to serving Fiji, in addition to treating complex cases.
The focus now is on developing the skills of Fiji’s own medical professionals.
“This approach equips Fiji’s highly motivated doctors and surgeons with skills and tools to lead their own services,” he said.
Friends of Health Fiji is a New Zealand registered charity group dedicated in providing gynaecological, surgical and medical services in Fiji in partnership with the Government.
It was established by former residents of Fiji both doctors and non-doctors who wished to make a contribution to Fiji.
All of its missions are provided at no cost and are funded through corporate donations and fundraising activities in New Zealand.
Friends of Health Fiji chairman Rajesh Chaudhary said he was delighted with the progress made at Labasa Hospital through the charity group missions over the past three years.
“Labasa Hospital is now able to offer laparoscopic surgery at a level that is equivalent to many regional hospitals in New Zealand,” Mr Chaudhary said.
“We are in our ninth year of operations and have been privileged to support Fiji’s health system in material ways including facilitating the transfer of highly complex laparoscopic towers, related technology and medical supplies.”
Labasa Hospital Medical Superintendent Dr Jaoji Vulibeci acknowledged the support and contribution by Friends of Fiji Health.
“Thank you for hearing our voices and for increasing the outreach to other hospitals in Fiji and not only focusing on Viti Levu,” he added.
Edited by Percy Kean
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