THE National Referral Hospital this week welcomed a team of paediatric doctors and nurses from Sophie’s Gifts for Projek Strongim Pikinini.
The Projek included three full days of clinics and training in children’s health.
The Sophie’s Gifts team taught life-saving skills in the management of seriously unwell children and babies.
This was supported by medical and surgical teaching across a range of topics and specialist clinics supported by local and visiting allied health professionals.
Sophie’s Gifts Founder and Director Dr Erin O’Reilly welcomed the opportunity to work with staff at the NRH.
Dr O’Reilly had visited the Children’s Ward in 2014 and was so impressed by the dedication and compassion of the staff there, who were working to provide first-rate care in a busy and challenging job.
When commenting on Projek Strongim Pikinini Dr O’Reilly said:
“As a team we were extremely impressed by the enthusiasm of the medical students and interns who are clearly both attentive and motivated learners.
“It was also great to include the nursing staff in the teaching activities whose skill level was very good. We all look forward to working with staff at NRH again soon.”
Arrangements for the visit were over a year in the making, and Sophie’s Gifts appreciates the hard work and support of local staff Dr Titus Nasi, Dr Rooney Jagilly and Dr Dudley Ba’erodo.
Sophie’s Gifts acknowledges the invaluable support and collaboration of the John James Medical Foundation, a Canberra-based surgical charity with an exemplary record providing much-needed surgical support to communities in Australia and the Pacific.
The Foundation is running a two week paediatric surgical trip coinciding with the Sophie’s Gifts visit.
Sophie’s Gifts is also the grateful recipient of generous funding from the Australian Government, facilitated through the Australian High Commission in Honiara and recognises the support of Canberra firms Chamberlain’s Law Firm and Joyce Dickson in making Projek Srongim Pikinini a reality.
Sophie’s Gifts is an Australian not-for profit organisation dedicated to promoting the health and wellbeing of children in Australia and the Asia-Pacific region