We Support: Operation Open Heart

In his tenure, one of the largest and most important programs launched in the history of PMGH and the country was Operation Open Heart.

Open Heart Surgery was something that was wasn’t going to proceed with Government Budgets so during Sir Brian Bell as Chairman of Port Moresby General Hospital he helped establish and launch Operation Open Heart with the support of the Australian Medical fraternity.

Operation Open Heart began operating in Papua New Guinea in 1993 with the goal of establishing an independent cardiac surgery unit within the Port Moresby General Hospital. Due to the commencement of Operation Open Heart, this project created a sustainable way for PNG nationals to become suitably qualified. PNG now has trained Cardiac Surgeons and Cardiac Anaesthesia.

As a result of this, some types of cardiac surgery take place independently as a result of Operation Open Heart. Operation Open Heart caters for patients in Papua New Guinea to provide professional medical treatments to those who can’t access these services due to the limitations of the health care system.

Each year Operation Open Heart attracts a team of 50+ volunteers to visit PNG annually to provide ongoing training and support particularly in post-operative care. They also help meet the need for an increased surgical presence to cope with the growing demand for surgery.

Since 1993, Sir Brian personally and professionally continued to financially support Operation Open Heart. From 2016, the management of these funds as a contribution to Operation Open Heart has continued to be managed by the Sir Brian Bell Foundation. The Sir Brian Bell Foundation continues to support the Port Moresby General Hospital and Operation Open Heart through various donations as well as through the Sir Brian Bell Centre for Transfusion Medicine providing safe blood to those in need of surgery.

Stay up to date with Operation Open Heart here.