Pacific surgeons meet in Nuku'alofa [1]
Wednesday, August 8, 2012 - 20:22. Updated on Monday, September 9, 2013 - 18:40.
From left, Dr Paula Vivili, Lord Tangi, Michael Hollands, Dr Siale 'Akau'ola, John Batten and Dr Saia Piukala. 11th Pacific Islands Surgeons Association Conference, Nuku'alofa, Tonga. 8 August 2012.
Surgeons in the Pacific Islands are limited in resources but they should be proud of what they are able to achieve, the 11th Pacific Islands Surgeons Association Conference heard at the opening of the biennial conference being held in Tonga from August 7-10.
Professor Ikau Kevau the Vice President of the Pacific Island Surgeons Association told over 30 surgeons that some of the major challenges they faced included the need for MRI scans and 3D-scans, which are not available in the Pacific islands including Tonga, Samoa, Fiji and the Solomon Islands.
"We should be proud of our five senses because they are the only tools we have available," he said.
He said surgeons also needed to be well educated to go further in their line of work.
The conference held in partnership with the Tonga Medical Association brings to Nuku'alofa surgeons from Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Fiji Samoa, Federated States of Micronesia, Cook Islands, Nauru, New Zealand and Australia.
Discussion
Dr Paula Vivili, the President of the Tonga Medical Association and Medical Superintendent at Vaiola Hospital, said the conference was an opportunity for education and discussion on surgical matters relevant to the Pacific people in the region.
He said key issues are building the capacity and capability of Pacific surgeons, responding and preparing to natural disasters, and surgical responses to non-communicable diseases.
"This is an opportunity for surgeons to discuss and plan for Pacific wide issues to ensure ongoing development and sustainability of surgical services throughout the region," he said.
Hands-on workshops and seminars were held by top surgeons from New Zealand, Australia and the islands. Visiting speakers include Dr Ian Norton the Director of the Disaster Response and Preparedness - National Critical Care and Trauma Response Center in Darwin, Australia; Alex Auldist, a paediatric surgeon from Australia; and Lord Tangi of Tonga; with research papers presented by participants.
Also attending is Michael Hollands, the President of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons that provides training, examines surgeons and sets standards for surgical practice.
The Director of Health Dr Siale 'Akau'ola said Tonga has three main surgeons at Vaiola led by Chief Surgeon Lord Tangi with Dr Saia Piukala and Dr Kolini Vaea.
He said the workload at the hospital was satisfactory, especially since Lord Tangi had returned to Vaiola Hospital.