Air Niugini continues to support operation open heart

**The three children, 8 year old Undialu and his sibling, Rickson Philip (10) and Nathan Handape with Air Niugini management and the medical team at PMGH. (Image: Supplied)**

A total of nine children and their guardians, have returned to their homes, after successfully undergoing life-saving heart surgeries, at the Port Moresby General Hospital, with help from the National Flag Carrier, Air Niugini.

Air Niugini Chief Executive Officer, Gary Sheddon in a statement says, the most recent group included three children from Tari in the Hela Province, who were flown back to Tari on Sunday.

He said the three which include Undialu [8], Rickson Philip [10], and their cousin Nathan Handape [10], were all born with heart conditions that needed urgent surgery.

Mr. Seddon said that the airline is proud to play a small part in giving these children a second chance at life, through the Operation Open Heart Program.

He also added that last year, Air Niugini helped doctors travel around the country to screen over 700 children for heart problems, where 58 of them were identified for surgery.

This he said saw 33 of them listed for open heart and 25 for closed heart operations.

Mr. Seddon added that Air Niugini has been supporting Operation Open Heart since 1993, from flying in medical teams and equipment, to raising funds and helping children in need.