Program amongst the best in the world

Caption: Open Heart International Coordinator Dr Russel Lee

By MATTHEW VARI

Sunday, February 14, 2016 (Sunday Chronicle, PNG)

COORDINATOR from the visiting team from Open Heart International, Dr Russel Lee, has placed the Operation Open Heart program as one of the best in world with a 2% mortality rate.

He referred to the 23 years of operations that have taken place under the program with every year since then having more participation by local doctors and nurses maintaining the consistency of the program in delivering a very low mortality rate.

“In years gone by we would come and do 50 or 60 cases but the big things was we were focused on getting cases done.”

“But now we are focused on how we can help the local team do this. That is why we are coming more often.”

“When we look at those cases the number of people who die (mortality rate) is less than 2%. If you look at the best units in the world they are at 1.7 to 2% no more than 5% so the program success rate is up there with the best in the world,” Dr Lee said.

He said that many programs in the world have 15% rates which they think are okay.

“I congratulate those people who are setting the standard we must all aim for.”

Lee also highlighted the fact of the nature in which the country embraces the Open Heart Program unlike other country in continents around the world.

“I would say is that there is no other country that we work in that have embraced a program. The business and the community come together and work with the government to support a program like this.”

“In Asia in Africa, not one of them have that, and to have the community come together every year and raise money to make this happen is something very special and you couldn’t duplicate that.”

“It is a big job to make this happen, but in (Papua) New Guinea everybody puts their shoulder to the wheel at the last minute and we get there and that is something that you must be very proud of.”

“We at Open heart International we are in 18 different countries and Papua New Guinea is one of them. I am very passionate about Papua New Guinea because I grew up here, so I happy to have them here.”

He added that with key people trained in the field of cardio surgery, it is vital to put the right support staff to work under them.

“It is not as wide as the business is but it is how many people you have under you as to how successful you are.”

“I keep telling Noah (Dr Tapaua) that he needs two or three stacked up under him, whether its surgeons or nurses it has got to happen.”

“There are some in the team where we focused on doctors and now we have to focus on other areas, but I know they are waiting to put their hands up to say pick me, saying things like I want to be the head nurse or perfusionist.”

“Those things that actually back up Noah and make this program successful.”