NRH Surgeons Attended Training in Minimal Invasive surgical Techniques for South Pacific Island Surgeons in Guangzhou, Guangdong, China

Two specialist General Surgeons from the National Referral Hospital (NRH) recently attended a two-week training course on Minimal Invasive surgical techniques at the Nanfang Hospital in Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China.

The course was organised specifically for South Pacific Island countries of Vanuatu, Kiribati and Solomon Islands. Dr Augustine Melly, Specialist General Surgeon and Dr Rooney Jagilly, Head of Surgery, NRH attended on behalf of Solomon Islands. Minimal Invasive surgery is type of surgery that uses smaller incisions and specialised instruments to perform procedures inside the body. It is also known as keyhole, laparoscopic or robotic surgery. It has the advantages of less pain, shorter hospital stays, and faster recovery time and reduced complications of bleeding and infections.

The two weeks training programme was funded by the Health Commission of Guangdong Province and the Guangdong Provincial Science and Technology Department and organised by Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University. Professor Wu Peng who coordinates the course says that he saw the need for Pacific Islands surgeons to develop their skills in Minimal Invasive surgery. That is the reason why he and his colleagues are happy to them develop skills in this area so that pacific islands patients can also have the choice of getting the benefits of minimal invasive surgery.

The training involved classroom teachings, observation of live surgeries, and use of laboratory simulations. The trainees also were introduced to the latest Chinese version of robotic surgery, which uses a single port for surgical instruments.

Dr Melly says this is a great opportunity and a revelation for the surgeons to see what is possible with minimal invasive surgery and its benefits. He explained that given the required training and resources this kind of surgery is possible to be performed as routine surgery by local teams in Solomon Islands.

Dr Jagilly commented that visiting teams have practised minimal invasive surgery at NRH and we have some basic equipment but will take time for locals’ teams to master the skills and this kind of serious support from Nanfang Hospital will help to support that.

The NRH CEO Dr George Malefoasi expresses his appreciation to the Nanfang Hospital and Guangdong Health commission for this training support and says this goes along with the NRH executive’s vision of introducing new specialised services and technology that will enhance care at the NRH. He is looking forward to more technical cooperation in the area of clinical care with hospitals in Guangdong and other hospitals in China.

Pacific Island Surgeons with Prof Wu Peng, Dr. Melly (2nd right) and Dr. Jagilly (3rd left).

MHMS Press