Barrick PNG backs OOH

MORE than 500 children will be able to live long, healthy and normal lives, thanks to Operation Open Heart (OOH), Dr David Mokela said yesterday.
Mokela said in the 18 years the annual programme had been running, it had treated more than 800 people, two thirds of whom had been children.
He made the comment yesterday as Barrick PNG donated K10,000 to the Operation Open Heart  Foundation to support the annual life-saving surgeries that begin next month.
Barrick PNG general manager legal counsel Anthony Smare presented a mock cheque for K10,000 to Mokela, the Port Moresby General Hospital director of medical services and foundation chairman.
“We are grateful for Barrick PNG’s assistance over the past six years,” he said.
“The amount contributed brings the total contributions for this year’s operations to K400,000,” Mokela said.
The Operation Open Heart Programme started in 1993.
Mokela said closed heart operations as part of the programme were under way and being carried by local doctors.
“Screening is under way in the provinces and the final selections will be made soon, with referrals for those who need to undergo operations,” he said.
The Australian medical specialists are expected to arrive in Port Moresby on July 23 for open heart surgery. They will be here until Aug 9.
Smare said Barrick recognised the important work the foundation had done over the years in providing much needed open heart surgery.