Australian specialist team completes 12 life-changing surgeries in Vanimo

A visiting team of Australian volunteer specialists has completed 12 life-changing surgeries and 58 patient consultations during a week-long medical mission in the West Sepik Province.

The team, part of the Interplast Program, arrived in Vanimo on November 22 and performed their final hand surgery on Friday, November 28.

Lead surgeon Dr Peter Maloney, an Australian hand specialist, said the primary purpose of their visit was to treat patients living with dysfunctional or trauma-affected hands.

He said major operations were scheduled early in the week to allow the team time to closely monitor recovery progress. Their first surgical case involved a teacher who had been unable to use her right hand for writing.

Dr Maloney said although she remains in the early stages of recovery, the team is confident she will regain normal function once healing is complete.

Alongside surgical procedures, the specialists also conducted consultations for various conditions to determine whether referrals to larger hospitals, such as the Port Moresby General Hospital, were necessary.

Dr Maloney noted that a significant number of patients presented with cleft lip and cleft palate conditions the team hopes to prioritise during their return visit next year.

Despite the positive outcomes, the team observed a lower-than-expected turnout, which they attributed to communication challenges and limited public awareness about their visit.

The mission also focused on training and capacity-building for the local medical team, which Dr Maloney described as a vital part of Interplast’s long-term commitment to improving healthcare services in Papua New Guinea.

While most of the team has returned to Australia, the visiting physiotherapist will remain in Vanimo for another week to support the recovery of post-surgery patients.

The specialists expressed gratitude to Interplast, Frieda River Limited, and the West Sepik Provincial Health Authority for supporting the mission.

They plan to return to the province next year, with a primary focus on providing surgeries for cleft lip and cleft palate.