'Interplast' is a volunteer group of plastic surgeons from Australia & New Zealand, aiming to help provide services to the developing nations. They visit PNG once or twice a year. They operate mainly on scar contractures & cleft lip & palate. They are usually cases that can benefit maximally from their services (short operation time with good functional improvements). Cosmetic and cancer surgery is usually not done during these visits.
During their visits they have also trained local surgeons in the art of plastic and reconstructive surgery. Dr. Maihua in Madang (Modilon General Hospital), Dr. Garo at the Department of Health and Dr. Maire at the Port Moresby General Hospital, have been trained by the 'Interplast' team. Dr. George Gende, now managing the Gerehu Urban Clinic in Port Moresby, is their senior and mentor and specializes in Head & Neck Reconstructive Surgery. They were initially trained as general surgeons at UPNG-SMHS (Masters in Medicine or MMed Program) and then went on to receiving a Higher Diploma in Head & Neck Surgery & General Plastic Surgery, after spending several years in Australian hospitals. Dr. Maihua in Madang is very experienced in Hand Reconstructive Surgery. However, we would like to work as a team to give our very best service to the people of Papua New Guinea.
The 'Interplast' team has visited Mt. Hagen Provincial Hospital from 8th to 15th February 2015.
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