Cardiologist team in Port Moresby fix Rihanna’s broken heart

RIHANNA Chris, 8, is recovering at the Port Moresby General Hospital after undergoing open heart surgery on Sunday.
The girl from Pogera, in Enga, was the first to be operated on by leading cardiothoracic surgeon Dr Noah Tapaua with the assistance of Open Heart surgeon Dr Yishay Orr.
Rhianna’s father, Chris Nugil, and mother, Ronny, were thankful. Rihanna is the second eldest of their three children.
Nugil, who has worked for the Porgera Mining Joint Venture for 14 years, thanked the company for giving Rhianna a hope by financially assisting the family.
Paediatrician cardiologist Dr Cornelia Kilalang said Rihanna’s case was special.
“I screened Rihanna in 2015 for the open heart surgery,” Dr Kilalang said.
“I also discovered that she has chest infection.
“She went for further medical examination and she was put on TB medical.
“She completed her treatment and underwent the OOH this year.”
Apart from Rihanna, 11-year-old Bart Taligatus from Rabaul and seven-year-old Isaac Thompson from Port Moresby also had surgery.