{"id":1146,"date":"2026-03-12T15:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-03-12T15:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.friedariver.com\/?p=1146"},"modified":"2026-03-13T05:29:33","modified_gmt":"2026-03-13T05:29:33","slug":"frl-brings-interplast-back-to-png-for-another-round-of-life-changing-surgeries","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.friedariver.com\/zh\/frl-brings-interplast-back-to-png-for-another-round-of-life-changing-surgeries\/","title":{"rendered":"FRL Brings Interplast Back to PNG for Another Round of Life-Changing Surgeries"},"content":{"rendered":"

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.<\/p>\n

The visit will provide life changing treatment at no cost to patients, reinforcing SDP\u2019s ongoing commitment to improving access to quality healthcare for communities in the Sepik region.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\"\"

PNG national plastic surgeons in the theatre during a reconstructive procedure.<\/p><\/div>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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\u2019s long-term impact and continuity of care.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\"\"

Five Year old patient Lilly Lihu<\/p><\/div>\n

\u00a0“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,”<\/em> she said.<\/p>\n

Sepik Development Project Director Phil McCormack said the partnership continues to deliver powerful results.<\/p>\n

\u201cRemote communities face enormous barriers accessing specialist healthcare,\u201d<\/em> he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThese surgeries change lives. Not only can they restore physical function, but they support the rebuilding of confidence and a significant improvement to patients\u2019 quality of life.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cWe are immensely proud of our long-standing partnership with Interplast and the life changing benefits it brings to patients, families and communities.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Interplast\u2019s team will also provide training to hospital staff to strengthen local medical knowledge and improve pre and post operative care.<\/p>\n

\u201cEven without an operational site, our partnership with Interplast ensures our support reaches communities in the region for the long term,\u201d<\/em> Mr McCormack siad.<\/p>\n

\u201cTogether, we\u2019re helping to strengthen local surgical capacity and build long-term improvements in healthcare in the Sepik region.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"

Medical team performs a reconstructive procedure during the program recently.<\/p><\/div>\n

About the Interplast Program<\/strong><\/p>\n

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.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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\u2019s ongoing commitment to improving access to quality […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":23,"featured_media":1147,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[15,25],"class_list":["post-1146","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorised","tag-healthcare","tag-socail-responsibility"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nFRL Brings Interplast Back to PNG for Another Round of Life-Changing Surgeries - The Frieda River Project<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Remote communities face enormous barriers accessing specialist healthcare. 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