Chongqing brings less invasive surgery to PNG

The China-Papua New Guinea Friendship Center of Minimally Invasive Surgery was officially inaugurated in the capital, Port Moresby, recently. The center is located in the Port Moresby General Hospital, the Pacific island nation's largest general hospital.

"Surgery in PNG has predominantly been of the traditional kind, from which patients can suffer severe trauma, pain and slow recovery," said Chen Gang, leader of the 12th China Medical Team to PNG and associate chief physician at Chongqing University Cancer Hospital.

"Meanwhile, MIS, which makes use of modern medical equipment and devices such as the thoracoscope and laparoscope, can solve problems with less trauma."

PNG Health Secretary Osborne Liko noted that the center will introduce a kind of surgery based on smaller incisions and quicker recovery to PNG. He said he hopes the two countries will deepen cooperation in the MIS field.

Chen said the center will be jointly operated by the Chinese medical team and Port Moresby General Hospital. It will not only engage in MIS in general surgery, urology, gynecology and neurosurgery, but will also train local staff in a bid to boost PNG's medical development.

During the inauguration ceremony, Chinese Ambassador to PNG Zeng Fanhua donated medical supplies including MIS surgical equipment, radiation protection kits and medical consumables for TCM treatment and surgery on behalf of the Chinese government. On July 22, Chen's team of 10, including eight medical specialists who have an average age of 39, set out for PNG to provide medical assistance for a year.

"We were warmly welcomed," said Chen, adding that some patients even sent hand-woven PNG blessing bags called bilum to the doctors as thank-you gifts.

He said that in addition to MIS, traditional Chinese medical treatments such as TCM massage, acupuncture and cupping that are known to alleviate pain are especially favored locally.

"Medical science knows no boundaries," Chen said. "I hope the opening of this center fosters mutual understanding and cultural exchange."

At the behest of the Chinese government, Chongqing sent its first medical team to the country in 2002. It was the first Chinese team to be sent to the South Pacific region.

According to the Chongqing Health Commission, the city has since sent 12 medical teams of 120 specialists to help improve medical services in the Pacific island nation.