Operation Open Heart is a life-saving cardiac surgery program at Port Moresby General Hospital, providing critical heart surgeries to patients in need. Through this initiative, our dedicated team of cardiac surgeons, anesthesiologists, and healthcare professionals work tirelessly to perform complex heart procedures, giving hope and a second chance at life to countless individuals.
A pioneering cardiac program helping provide life-saving heart surgery, specialist training and ongoing cardiac care for people across Papua New Guinea.
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Operation Open Heart has played an important role in the development of cardiac services at Port Moresby General Hospital and in expanding access to specialist cardiac treatment in Papua New Guinea.
The connection of Operation Open Heart and Cardiac services began with Sir Brian Bell becoming Chairman of Port Moresby General Hospital. His passion for supporting PNG's largest referral and training hospital continued for more than 30 years.
During his tenure, one of the largest and most important programs launched in the history of PMGH and the country was Operation Open Heart. Open heart surgery was something that was not going to happen through government budgets alone. Sir Brian Bell helped establish and launch the program with the support of the Australian Open Heart International organisation.
The late surgeon Dr Leonard Numu Kaupa, working together with Dr John Wallace, Professor John Vince and many others, initiated the idea of open-heart surgery for children with congenital heart disease in 1989.
Operation Open Heart has evolved over time from visiting volunteer cardiac teams to a broader program focused on developing sustainable local cardiac services.
The idea of open-heart surgery for children with congenital heart disease was initiated by the late Dr Leonard Numu Kaupa together with Dr John Wallace, Professor John Vince and others.
Working with Open Heart International, Russell Lee and Sydney Adventist Hospital, the first open-heart surgery program was brought to PNG. The program initially operated at Goroka General Hospital.
After five years of operating in Goroka, logistical and financial considerations led to the program being transferred to Port Moresby General Hospital, where it has continued.
Local doctors have increasingly taken on the challenge of developing and localising cardiac services. Training has included cardiology, interventional cardiology, cardiac surgery and cardiac anaesthesia.
The installation of a Cardiac Catheterisation Laboratory at PMGH represents an important development in the capacity to diagnose and treat heart-related illnesses locally.
The Cardiac Catheterisation Laboratory is a new unit installed at Port Moresby General Hospital. Open Heart International brought its first Cath Lab team to help establish the service and work with local staff.
The unit is staffed by doctors, radiographers and nurses who use the laboratory and X-rays to diagnose and treat a range of heart-related illnesses.
The presence of the Cath Lab represents an important step toward improving access to life-saving cardiac treatment for people who previously had limited access to these services.
In August 2019, the National Doctors Association witnessed the ninth angiography procedure performed at the recently opened Cardiac Catheterisation Laboratory at Port Moresby General Hospital.
The first procedure was performed by Jason Sharp, a visiting interventional cardiologist from Sydney Adventist Hospital. With assistance and supervision from Dr Sharp and his Australian team, Dr Wesong Boko, PNG's own interventional cardiologist, and his PNG team successfully performed the next eight diagnostic angiography procedures without complication.
Taking one step forward is a huge gain in our progress towards providing tertiary health services in Papua New Guinea.Building sustainable local cardiac capability
Operation Open Heart attracts volunteer medical professionals who contribute their time, skills, expertise and resources to support cardiac care and ongoing training in PNG.
Specialist cardiac surgical expertise supporting operations and the development of local capability.
Specialist cardiac anaesthesia support and knowledge sharing with local teams.
Support for critical post-operative care and intensive care practices.
Operating theatre, nursing and technical professionals supporting the cardiac program.
Rehabilitation and post-operative support contributing to patient recovery.
Ongoing professional development helping strengthen local cardiac health services.
The long-term aim is to establish an independent cardiac unit within Port Moresby General Hospital capable of providing cardiology and cardiac surgery services for children and adults.
Construction of a dedicated Cardiothoracic Unit to support specialist cardiac services.
Developing and strengthening the specialist cardiac workforce in Papua New Guinea.
Providing the equipment required for a functional cardiac service.
Maintaining the annual program while local capacity continues to develop.
Supporting the ongoing functionality and sustainability of the cardiac unit.
Continuing research and development to improve cardiac services and patient outcomes.
Operation Open Heart provides a pathway for people in Papua New Guinea to access professional cardiac treatment that may otherwise require travel overseas.
The program, supported by medical professionals, volunteers and sponsors, has helped make complex cardiac surgery and specialist training possible within Papua New Guinea.
The supplied information notes this as an estimated cost for this type of surgery if a patient had to travel overseas.
Learn more about cardiac services, Operation Open Heart and the continuing development of specialist cardiac care at Port Moresby General Hospital.
Operation Open Heart represents a powerful commitment to strengthening cardiac care and expanding access to specialised heart services for patients in Papua New Guinea.
Through collaboration, specialist expertise, training and shared knowledge, this important initiative supports the continued development of cardiac services and local healthcare capacity.
Discover the story, purpose and impact of Operation Open Heart and its contribution to cardiac care at PMGH.
LEARN MORE →Explore cardiac and specialist services supporting patients with heart-related conditions through PMGH.
EXPLORE SERVICES →Learn about the partnerships, collaboration and shared expertise that help strengthen specialist healthcare in Papua New Guinea.
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