Life changing operations for Tongan patients [1]
Monday, September 7, 2015 - 17:54. Updated on Monday, September 7, 2015 - 18:00.
More than 20 Tongan patients who are suffering from congenital heart defects and rheumatic heart disease will receive life changing operations from an Australian team of medical professionals at Vaiola Hospital this month.
The 40 plus volunteers who came under the Open Heart International (OHI) bi-annual program have begun operations and are hoping to perform around 25 operations until the end of the program next week.
Dr John Wallace, OHI coordinator, said the medical professionals from all over Australia began arriving in Tonga last week and had screened patients with the operations starting on Sunday, 6 September.
“On either side we have the Ministry of Health staff assisting and they also find patients and bring them to us,” he said.
He said they are only performing operations for patients who are suffering from rheumatic and congenital heart disease. The patients range from babies to late 40s.
"Patients that would undergo the operations might not have a normal life expectancy but it will improve their life expectancy. It’s life changing for patients here to be able to receive the operations at home,” he said. Dr Wallace added that the team were thankful for the opportunity to cometo Tonga, “It benefits our whole team as well."
Dr Wallace complimented the Ministry of Health regarding the screening program for rheumatic heart disease in schools and testing people making it possible for them to do their work.
“Before the screening there were only a few number of people selected because we didn't know where they were. They have done a good job,” he said.
Since 2008, Tongan children have been screened for rheumatic heart disease through a program initiated by Tonga paediatrician, Dr Toakase Fakakovikaetau.
The OHI team today also received local support with new mobile phones donated by Tonga Communication Corporation and a vehicle from Tonga Development Bank to assist in their work.
OHI international started in 1985 when Russell Lee, Rudi Morgan and Dr Wallace as volunteers who worked for the Sydney Adventist Hospital.
Russell who visited Tonga saw the lack of surgical operations for those dying of rheumatic heart disease, then returned to Australia and determined to make a difference. They returned in 1986 and started the program supported by many others.