K475,000 boost for open heart

 By SONIA KENU 

THE National Fisheries Authority (NFA) presented two cheques worth K475,000 last Friday to the Operation Open Heart programme to sustain training and to purchase medical equipment.   

NFA managing director Sylvester Pokajam said NFA was giving K100,000 to support the training of doctors and nurses and K375,000 for a new heart-lung machine.  

“We can bring doctors from elsewhere but we must also sustain our own doctors and nurses through trainings,” he said. 

“Also with this presentation we are aware that Port Moresby General Hospital does not have a heart-lung machine at the moment.”

Operation Open Heart coordinator Prof Nakapi Tefuarani thanked NFA for its continuous support. 

“The programme has been successful because we have the support of all you people,” he said. 

“This year we have about 60 operations, half of which are open heart operations and the other half is close heart operations. 

“The heart-lung machine is needed for the open heart operation and we intend to purchase a new one this year to use.”