Sunday, December 14, 2008

Operation Open Heart


An Operation Open Heart team has visited Papua New Guinea almost every year since 1993. Specialised medical and health personnel including surgeons, anaesthetists, physiotherapists, intensive care and operating theatre nurses and technicians all donate their time, skills, expertise and money to perform cardiac surgery on Papua New Guineans, two thirds of the patients being children.

Operation Open Heart is coordinated by the San in conjunction with Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA), the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID), and the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons. Nursing, medical and allied health professional staff, from all areas of Sydney and Australia, make up the team.

The team convert two ordinary operating theatres at the Port Moresby General Hospital into cardiac theatres. Operations can include the implantation of permanent cardiac pacemakers, surgery to overcome congenital heart defects such as “hole in the heart” or severe conditions such as “blue baby syndrome”, caused by multiple holes in the heart. The surgical program also includes the treatment of rheumatic heart valve diseases such as valve repair, the opening of narrowed valves and the replacement of severely damaged valves with artificial valves. (The visits also provide invaluable opportunities for PNG doctors and nurses to learn new skills).

Costs of this type of surgery alone would be $25,000 per patient if they were forced, or able, to travel overseas.

“Congenital Heart disease is one of the most common birth defects globally, affecting millions of children around the world” said Melanie Windus, Sydney Adventist Hospital’s Health Care Outreach Coordinator.

“It is estimated that one third of these children will die before their first birthday because of lack of appropriate care.

Following successful cardiac surgery, these patients lead active and normal lives.

Information taken from this site.

Kamahl coming back
By ZARA KANU (THE NATIONAL)
AUSTRALIAN singer Kamahl is set to return to Papua New Guinea on Dec 11 for two concerts in support of Operation Open Heart Christmas appeal. He will perform at a corporate dinner in Port Moresby before heading to East New Britain Province for a one-off public concert at the Ralum Club on Dec 13. The upcoming visit followed his highly successful visit in June for two concerts in Port Moresby which raised more than K500,000 for the Orchid Society of Papua New Guinea and Operation Open Heart.

I can't honestly say I have ever been a Kamahl fan, but it was great that he was able to visit and help raise money and public awareness for this great cause. Suzie and Bruce put on a great lunch at the Rabaul Hotel and his concert at the Ralum Club, organised by the Rotary Club was well attended.

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Phone connections here are terrible at the moment. It has delayed my posting and visiting is almost impossible as I can't upload your page properly or my comments onto your blogs. Not sure what the problem is but it is driving me nuts!!!! Will visit if and when I can.

30 comments:

dive said...

What a brilliant programme Operation Open Heart is, Jules.
Thank you for letting us know about it and hoorah for Kamahl for helping you to support it.

Unknown said...

Wonderful portrait, Jules!
Glad to know about Operation Open Heart and how it can help people in need.
Never heard of Kamahl before but I congratulate him on his initiatives.
Sorry to know telephone problems still continue...

Bobby D. said...

very handsome portrait of the boy, Jules. Nice post.

Cheltenhamdailyphoto said...

That's an amazing cause, Jules and great that you are doing what you are.

Willow said...

Hurrah for Operation Open Heart! I'm so happy for those children who will have repaired hearts!

Jane Hards Photography said...

Excellent programme and that portrait shot is gorgoeus.

Kris McCracken said...

[In the deepest voice I can muster]:

"Why are people so unkind?"

Joseph Pulikotil said...

Hi Jules :)

Very informative post for a noble cause. Congratulations!

The smile on the boy's face is worth all the efforts.

Have a good day :)

Anonymous said...

Hi Jules,
Very thankful for the programme. My daughter will be having open heart surgery in 2009.

USelaine said...

Wonderful to know that so much good is being done for those who need it most.

Sad to hear of your connectivity problems, but as always, we'll wait for what we can get of you; no rush.

ancient one said...

I admire people who give of themselves to help others. I pray that all the surgeries will be successful. Very interesting post!

Nathalie H.D. said...

I take it that this little boy was one of the lucky beneficiaries of this open heart program?

WOnderful photo and operation.

Maria said...

A wonderful post, Jules! It is soo good to read that these things happen! Thank you!
I'm sorry that you have problems with the net. Nevertheless, you pay frequent visits to all of us :)
Have a nice week and thank you!

Jilly said...

What a portrait. It's just superb. Am I to understand this child had open heart surgery - or will?

Anyway I hope not and do commend you on this beautiful photograph.

Clueless in Boston said...
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Neva said...

It's a great photo of both of you fan or not!!

alicesg said...

It is these wonderful people that make the world a happier place.

Jules said...

Hi All - the phone connection problem seems to be improved - may take some time to catch up on my visits though!!!

The boy in the portrait doesn't have heart problems - I just used him to symbolize those children who have been helped by this great scheme.

Jules said...

Kris - just saw your comment - he! he! he! I had forgotten this saying of his I was hoping he'd say Oh de elephants!!!!

Anonymous said...

This is really a nice idea

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Ladyhihi said...

Hurrah for Operation Open Heart! I'm so happy for those children who will have repaired hearts!



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