PNG NEEDS MORE PAEDIATRIC SURGEONS TO MEET GROWING DEMAND
BY RAYLEEN WANJIMAN
PAPUA New Guinea needs more pediatric surgeons to meet the growing demand for specialised surgical services for children.
POMGEN Paediatric surgeon Dr Jack Mulu says the country currently has seven trained paediatric surgeons but estimates that more than 37 would be needed to adequately provide services across the country.
He says training a paediatric surgeon takes many years and requires commitment from doctors who choose to be specialise in that field.
Dr Mulu made the comments during a press conference on Saturday afternoon following a week of 12 complex paediatric surgeries involving visiting Australian surgeon Professor Paddy Dewan.
He says continued mentorship from international specialists is important in helping PNG surgeons develop their skills and manage more complex cases locally.
Dr Mulu says the long-term goal is to develop more paediatric sub-specialists, including paediatric urologists, neurosurgeons, cardiologists and orthopaedic specialists.
He says this will help strengthen specialised surgical services and improve access to care for children across Papua New Guinea.
