26 November 2013
Australian paediatric specialist team visit Solomon Islands
A visiting Australian volunteer paediatric specialist surgical team will spend this week at the National Referral Hospital in Honiara providing free consultations, treatment and surgery for children with medical conditions.
The team of surgeon Dr Mclee Mathew, anaesthetist Dr Kym Saunders and nurse Louise Cotter will provide free consultations and treatment for children at the National Referral Hospital between 25 - 29 November 2013.
The visit is funded by Australia and arranged by the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons.
Australian High Commissioner to Solomon Islands Matt Anderson said medical teams have been visiting the Solomon Islands for many years to provide free medical consultations and surgery to help people.
“The medical team gives Solomon Islanders the chance for specialist medical consultations and treatment not readily available in Honiara. Not only do they make a difference to the people they treat and operate on, they also boost the skills of local doctors and nurses at the hospital, which leaves a lasting legacy.”
“The visit by the medical team is one of several specialist medical visits made every year to Solomon Islands and is a very important part of Australia’s ongoing assistance to the people and Government of Solomon Islands.”
The Australian Government funds around 50 surgical visiting teams to Pacific Island countries every year. This assistance fills gaps in local medical services and provides on-the-job training to local medical staff.