AUSTRALIAN ENT MEDICAL TEAM CURRENTLY IN HONIARA
ENT Team Leader Brian Costello checking patient, Mary Tolosia’s ear at the National Referral Hospital. Photo credit: Rosalie Nongebatu.
An Australian volunteer Ear, Nose and Throat, ENTÂ medical team is currently in Solomon Islands providing diagnosis and treatment for patients with ear, nose, throat, head and neck disorders.
A statement from the Australian High Commission Office in Honiara said the team is treating patients at the National Referral Hospital until 25 July and will treat patients at Gizo Hospital from 28 to 31 July.
It said all treatments provided by the team will be provided at no cost to patients and they need to be referred from local health clinics.
Welcoming the team on their arrival in Honiara, Australian High Commissioner to Solomon Islands Andrew Byrne said annual ENT visits to the Solomon Islands give Solomon Islanders the chance to have specialist consultations and treatment that are not readily available.
Meanwhile, he said not only do these teams make a difference to the people they treat and operate on, but also boost the skills of the local surgeons, doctors and nurses at the hospital, leaving behind a lasting legacy.
He said the visit by the ENT surgical team is one of several specialist medical visits made every year to Solomon Islands and is a very important part of Australia’s ongoing assistance to the people and Government of Solomon Islands.
The visit is funded by the Australian Government and managed by the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons.
The team is led by Surgeon, Dr Brian Costello and includes Anaesthetist Dr James Love and Nurse Tania Wieg all from Melbourne, Australia.