The Orthopaedic Department at the National Referral Hospital (NRH) in Honiara is a grateful recipient of a brand new Arthroscope set.
This was made possible through Stryker Company, represented by Mr Alexander Wagner, the department of Biomedical Engineering of the University of Basel, represented by Professor Nicklaus Freiderich, the HHZ Charitable Trust and by donations from Mrs Zusanne and Mr Nicklaus Freidrich from Switzerland.
The overall value of the machine is approximately USD120,000. (SBD960k). However the set was acquired under a discount offer made by the manufacturing company Stryker which is based in Switzerland.
This machine will be used to take live images within the joints to aid in diagnosis of joint problems and overtime guide in the surgical management of these problems.
Head of department, Dr Patrick Houasia, stated that the addition of this diagnostic tool to the department is very timely as the only owned machine had already broken down in May 2021.
Since then all patients with joint conditions needing scopehave been diagnosed through clinical examination and XRAY and managed conservatively.
He also wishes to acknowledge the donors and to reassure them that this machine will be cared for and put to good use in the service of the people of this country.
The Orthopaedic team as a whole wishes to convey its heartfelt gratitude to the donors mentioned above who saw the gap in the orthopaedic care and services provided at the National Referral Hospital level and stepped up to make sure it was taken care of.
As stated by a member of the team, the atmosphere within the department is one of excitement as now patients with joint problems will be properly diagnosed and will receive the right management needed for their condition.
The department has had a long history with the Swiss community when former surgeon Dr Hermann Oberli set up the unit here at the NRH and to this day still continues to support the training of local and Pacific Orthopaedic Surgeons through the Pacific Islands Orthopaedics Association.
