Five Year old patient Lilly Lihu with her mum before surgery at Boram General Hospital.
A specialist medical team sponsored by Sepik Development Project and coordinated by Interplast Australia & New Zealand, has returned to Papua New Guinea to perform reconstructive and specialist surgeries in the East Sepik Province.
The visit will provide life changing treatment at no cost to patients, reinforcing SDP’s ongoing commitment to improving access to quality healthcare for communities in the Sepik region.
The six person volunteer team of PNG and Australian surgeons, nurses and an anaesthetist have conducted patient consultations and performed complex procedures at Boram Hospital in Wewak, East Sepik Province.
PNG national plastic surgeons in the theatre during a reconstructive procedure.
Working alongside local clinicians, the team will perform a range of reconstructive surgeries including cleft lip and palate repair, treatment for burn injuries and correction of other congenital or trauma related conditions.
The week-long visit starting 28 February, will also support several patients who were seen last year now returning for follow up surgery, highlighting the partnership’s long-term impact and continuity of care.
Mrs Julie Lihu, mother of five year old Lilly Lihu who had an enlarged growth on her nose removed, expressed sincere gratitude to FRL for the private sector support to the program.
Five Year old patient Lilly Lihu
“We lived in Port Moresby when Lilly was born and moved here in 2024. Even in Port Moresby it was difficult to access plastic and reconstructive surgery. We made enquiries at private hospitals, and the costs were far beyond our means,” she said.
Sepik Development Project Director Phil McCormack said the partnership continues to deliver powerful results.
“Remote communities face enormous barriers accessing specialist healthcare,” he said.
“These surgeries change lives. Not only can they restore physical function, but they support the rebuilding of confidence and a significant improvement to patients’ quality of life.”
“We are immensely proud of our long-standing partnership with Interplast and the life changing benefits it brings to patients, families and communities.”
Interplast’s team will also provide training to hospital staff to strengthen local medical knowledge and improve pre and post operative care.
“Even without an operational site, our partnership with Interplast ensures our support reaches communities in the region for the long term,” Mr McCormack siad.
“Together, we’re helping to strengthen local surgical capacity and build long-term improvements in healthcare in the Sepik region.”
Medical team performs a reconstructive procedure during the program recently.
About the Interplast Program
The Interplast Reconstructive Surgery Program in East Sepik Province is part of a three-year partnership between Sepik Development Project, its parent company PanAust, and Interplast Australia & New Zealand. This collaboration commenced in 2024, with the goals of improving access to essential reconstructive surgery and strengthening local medical capacity in the Sepik Provinces.
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