BSP continues to support Operation Open Heart, 23 years on
A partnership support that spans 23 years continues between BSP Financial Group Limited and the Operation Open Heart Program.
The Operation Open Heart Program has given thousands of Papua New Guineans a second chance in life. The program that was a service is now a training program, led by Chief Cardiothoracic surgeon Dr Noah Tapaua.
Over the last 26 years the program initially provided surgical heart operation assistance only. This has expended to imparting skills to local cardiothoracic surgeons, ICU nurses and eventually having a specialist team carrying out Provincial Paediatric Cardiac Screening and Closed Heart Surgeries- Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA) ligations at the Port Moresby General Hospital Cardiac Unit.
BSP Corporate Sponsorship Manager Amelia Minnopu in presenting another annual donation of K100,000 to the Operation Open Heart Team said BSP is pleased to continue its assistance, totalling over K2.2 million since 2000. “We are pleased to support a program that not only saves lives but upskills our local medical team here at the Port Moresby General Hospital. We hope that our support will allow the surgeons to continue savings lives and also provide a place for patience to recover after their surgery,” Minnopu said.
In 2013, BSP funded the Cardiac recovery room inside Ward 7 of the Port Moresby General Hospital. This is still being used to date.
CEO of Port Moresby General Hospital, Dr Paki Molumi said Operation Opern Heart has been a great success for this country. “To date over 2,000 children have been operated on who now live normal lives and contribute to the economy of the country - thanks to BSP for the partnership, for coming to Port Moresby General Hospital. The staff are excited to take this program to another level, “Dr Molumi added.
Through the support of Corporate Organisations like BSP, the Operation Open Heart Team has visited over 12 provinces screening children who have undergone surgery by the local medical team.
Ms Minnopu on behalf of BSP presented the cheque of K100,000 along with Community Partner – The Brisbane Broncos Management and Team representatives to Kathy Johnston – Operation Open Heart Foundation Chairlady and Deputy Chairlady of Port Moresby General Hospital Board, CEO of Port Moresby General Hospital, Dr Paki Molumi and his team of Cardiac Surgeons on Tuesday 31st October, 2023.