A number of regional doctors are undertaking a Masters Degree program in Orthopaedic in the country.
Head of Orthopaedic department in the National Referral Hospital Dr Patrick Houasia said, these are the second intake and they will be studying twelve modules, 3 modules per year, 2015-2017.
Yesterday they went through module on ‘Introduction to Orthopaedics’ at the National Referral Hospital.
This module will cover history taking, clinical examination, investigation and basic trauma techniques
Lecturers came from Australia, New Zealand and Switzerland, with profound experienced on Orthopaedic.
There were 5 new trainees (Mark Rokobuli from Fiji, Laiam Kerau from PNG, Basil Leodoro from Vanuatu, Areta Samuelu from Samoa and James Tewa’ani from Solomons).
The program comes under the auspices of Pacific Islands Orthopaedic (PIOA) Association.
He said, most of them have graduated with post graduate degree in various fields. He said Solomon Islands is privilege to be the host.
The Pacific Islands Orthopaedic Association (PIOA) was formed to promote and develop modern orthopaedic surgical care in the Islands of the South Pacific.
First intake have graduated and currently working at the National Referral Hospital.
“This program is important to elevate our doctors in the field of Orthopaedic.”
Dr Houasia said, the training is internationally recognised and local doctors can apply to work overseas in the future.
The agreement was signed in Honiara on 27 November 2012.
The agreement is for an initial period of five years with an extension by mutual agreement.
PIOA commenced the first module of the training program in Honiara in February 2013.
By ELLIOT DAWEA
