Hospital technicians undertake specialised training overseas

By ALISON ANIS
TWO biomedical technicians from Mendi General Hospital have returned after a six-month intensive training on biomedical equipment repair in Dallas, Texas, USA.
Tobias Gual and Sam Owil were identified by the operator of LNG project, Esso Highlands Ltd, and the hospital management as suitable candidates to take part in the Medisend International Biomedical Equipment Repair Training programme.
Their training was supported by the PNG LNG project and was a performance-based curriculum of theory and practical training with state-of-the-art equipment in a professional learning environment.
“This is a highly specialised area, and Tobias and Sam are among only a handful of biomedical technicians in PNG who are responsible for repairing and maintaining hospital equipment ranging from small suctions equipment to X-ray machines,” Esso Highlands Ltd managing director Peter Graham said.
Graham said the company was happy to support Gual and Owil, who had to go through a rigorous selection process and  intensive training.
“We are happy to see them back here and to start using their new skills,” Graham said at the welcome ceremony for the two biomedical technicians held at the LNG office in Port Moresby last Friday.
Gual and Owil said they learned many new things and the basics on how to maintain, repair and calibrate hospital equipment and were looking forward to using their skills in other centres.
“We see that this is not just an achievement for us and Mendi hospital but for the country. We are both thankful to Esso Highlands Ltd and PNG LNG project for the opportunity to attend the training and are looking forward to put into practice what we have learnt,” Gual said.
The technicians will be contracted to Mendi hospital but they would be deployed to other rural hospitals and health centres where there is a need.