New ‘vision’ for Madang

AN ocular plastic surgeon specialist from Australia was in the country performing eye operations in Madang.
Dr David McKeang from Sydney’s Foster Public Hospital and a member of the Australian College of Surgeons, accompanied by a nurse, performed 23 eye operations in Madang with help from local Ophthalmologists from Madang, Goroka and Wewak.
Fred Hollow Foundation PNG Programme adviser Brenda Jolliffe said the team was in Madang performing operations on people with eye problems for three days and nights from Thursday.
The team lead by Dr McKeang arrived at the request of Dr Robert Mckay of The Fred Hollow’s Foundation at a recent conference in Australia.
Ms Jolliffe said the team’s travel was met by the Australian College of Surgeons with the first three days in Madang and another five days at the Port Moresby General Hospital.
She said many of the patients were from Madang while only three patients were referred from Goroka.
Dr McKeang was assisted Dr McKay from the Fred Hollow’s foundation in Madang while Dr David Pau from Wewak and Dr Jacques from Goroka were also engaged in the operation as part of their training.
Ms Jolliffe said the team’s visit was important for the many people who had watery eyes and other eye-related problems.
Meanwhile, former Modilon Hospital board member and local leader Florian Bahian said he was very happy to have the team in the province.
Mr Bahian, who also underwent an eye operation, said the people of Madang were fortunate to have an eye care unit in the hospital.
“I thank the staff of the Fred Hollow Foundation who went looking for people with eye problem for the operation.
“I am also grateful to Dr McKeang and his team, the local doctors and the Fred Hollow’s eye care nurses and Dr McKay for helping the people,” he said.