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Papua New Guinea

RACS Scholarship Support

In addition to training delivered through the Project, the RACS Scholarships Programs support additional training opportunities for PNG surgeons and trainees, both in Australia and abroad. This has contributed to the increased capacity of the current PNG tertiary health service and most importantly, to the long term sustainability of tertiary health service provision in PNG.

• PNG surgeon Dr Lister Lunn and PNG anaesthetist Dr Arvin Karu and are currently completing a 12 month cardiac training program at the Cherian Heart Foundation, Chennai, India, supported by the RACS Rowan Nicks Scholarships Program
  
  
• Dr. Noah Tapaua (initially supported by the RACS Surgeons International award) continued his training at Geelong Hospital under the supervision of Professor Monteza.  Dr Noah Tapauais currently completing a two year cardiac training program
  
  
• In 2008, PNG surgeon Dr Sam Endican was supported by the RACS Surgeons International Award to attend the Cadaver Dissection Course at the University of Queensland.  As a recipient of this award, Dr Endican was also able to participate in a 5 week training program at the Princess Alexandra Hospital in Brisbane, supervised by ENT surgeon Dr Chris Perry  
  
  
• In 2007, Dr Benjamin Yapo completed his paediatric surgery training in Australia at the Children’s Hospital Westmead in New South Wales, initially supported by the RACS’ Surgeons International Award and subsequently by Westmead Hospital.  Dr Yapo has retuned to Mt Hagen General Hospital in January and on completion of his exams in 2009 will become the third fully qualified Paediatric surgeon in PNG
  
  
• In 2006, PNG urology trainee, Dr Timmy Tingnee was awarded a Rowan Nicks Scholarship to further his surgical training through a six-month placement at Lismore Base Hospital and six-month placement at Box Hill Hospital. He has returned to PNG where he is working at the Port Moresby General Hospital and will sit for his final exams in early 2009
  
  
• Oral & Maxillofacial surgeon Dr Matupi Apaio received a Surgeons International Award in 2006 to attend the OMF Revision course at Westmead Hospital in Sydney and to undertake training attachments in Adelaide and Melbourne prior to his final examinations
  
  
• In 2005, PNG paediatric surgeon, Dr Okti Poki received an International Travel Grant to attend the Annual Scientific Congress (ASC) in Perth
  
  
• PNG trainee Dr Richard Benny received a Rowan Nicks Scholarship to support his surgical training at the Royal Brisbane Hospital
  
  
• PNG surgeons, Dr Mclee Mathew and Dr Ikau Kevau were awarded RACS International Travel Grants to attend the 2004 Annual Scientific Congress (ASC) in Melbourne
  
  
• PNG neurosurgeon, Dr William Kaptigau received the Surgeons International Award and travelled to Melbourne to attend the 2004 Annual Scientific Congress (ASC) and undergo advanced neurosurgical training at the Alfred Hospital, Melbourne.  He was also the recipient of the Rowan Nicks Scholarship in 2002 which enabled him to participate in a training attachment at Townsville Tertiary Hospital under the supervision of Professor Eric Guazzo.

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