Story by Dr. William Mol (Specialist Medical Officer in Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery)

The only head and neck surgery team in the highlands region, is based at Goroka General Hospital. The team consists of Dr. Sam Endican (Specialist Medical Officer in Ear-Nose-Throat and Head and Neck Surgery), Dr. Matupi Apaio (Specialist Medical Officer in Oral and Maxillo-Facial Surgery) and Dr. William Mol (Specialist Medical Officer in Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery). This team of specialist Drs has visited Mt. Hagen General Hospital from April 13th to 18th 2009 (5 days).

This time, the team visited Mendi General Hospital, from June 8th to 13th 2009 (5 days). Dr. Michael Dokup, a senior Ear-Nose-Throat and Head and Neck Surgeon and Director of Medical Services at Hagen General Hospital, accompanied the team. He went one day ahead to sort out administrative matters as well as to short list the patients. Most of the equipments the team uses are donated ones, a few are privately purchased.
More than 80 patients were seen and a reasonable number of patients were operated on. The main services provided were:

1. Hearing tests & interpretation
2. Surgery for oral & nasopharyngeal cancers & benign growths
3. Excision of lumps & bumps particularly in the head & neck area
4. Management of maxillofacial fractures
5. Teaching of surgical registrars to manage common surgical problems encountered in the head & neck area
6. Management of cleft lip & palate

The few hiccups we faced were:

1. Bumpy road conditions that are detrimental to some of our equipments
2. No ‘Stryker’ saw and complete maxilla-facial surgery set
3. No loupe for mobile microsurgery
4. No portable Ear-Nose-Throat diagnostic set

Nevertheless, the performance of the staff at Mendi General Hospital, were impressive. No major complications were encountered. The nursing staffs were quick to learn the techniques and requirements of a head and neck surgery unit. The registered Medical Drs there displayed a tremendous amount of keenness to learn head and neck surgery, especially Dr. Gabriel Kune and Dr. Jones. We are planning to visit Mendi General Hospital again and this time may be for more than a week.

In the long run & the broader perspective, if there was a histopathology unit, a radiology unit with a CT scan in place and a neurosurgeon somewhere within the highlands region, then by utilizing their services, we will have provided the expected international standard or level of service. However, we are still looking for funding and sponsors to completely equip our team. Meanwhile we are doing our very best with our limited resources and manpower.

Finally, the team is planning to visit Kundiawa general hospital in early July this year.

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