Cross-cultural exchange for Solomon Islands clinicians

Cross-cultural exchange for Solomon Islands clinicians

Pictured: Bell Park patient Henry Jaruga at the McKellar Community Rehabilitation Centre, with visiting National Referral Hospital staff – diabetes nurse Theresa Mateaki, general surgeon Scott Siota, and surgical ward nurse Roselyn Solowara. 

Nurses and a surgeon from Solomon Islands have participated in a cross-cultural exchange, gaining valuable insights into Barwon Health’s clinical practices.

As part of an ongoing partnership, two groups of six clinical staff from the National Referral Hospital in Honiara have spent three weeks at University Hospital Geelong, supported by grants from the Australian Government through Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Each clinician followed a tailored training plan, taking the opportunity to observe a range of activities, including clinical practices, specialty ward environments, staff interactions, clinical governance, and policies and procedures. This fellowship specifically focused on diabetic foot management, allowing participants to gain valuable insights into this specialised area of care.

National Referral Hospital general surgeon Scott Siota said observing Barwon Health’s multi-disciplinary team with trained specialists had offered valuable insights into best practice.

“Without specialists to undertake major amputations, post-surgery treatment, rehabilitation, and prosthesis, our general surgeons do everything, so the experience has been overwhelmingly eye-opening for me,” he said.

“We do not have a podiatrist, orthotist and specialists to assist the recovering pathway post-surgery, but reading through papers, I know there are better pathways to manage such cases.

“That’s what inspired me to take this observership at Barwon Health, so hopefully we can handle our situation in a better way that is appropriate to the Solomon Islands setting.”

Barwon Health chief medical officer Dr Ajai Verma said the organisation was grateful for the grant and excited for the organisation to continue the clinical exchange program

“This initiative provides another valuable opportunity to strengthen organisational and people-to-people relationships between Australia and the Solomon Islands,” he said.

“Barwon Health is actively contributing to building health capability in the Asia Pacific region, with clinicians volunteering their skills to support communities in the Solomon Islands.

“Following the success of the 2022 fellowship, we have maintained a strong relationship between our health services, and we look forward to furthering this partnership in the years to come.”

Australia Awards are prestigious, transformational scholarships, fellowships and short courses funded by the Australian Government. Australia Awards Fellowships aim to build networks of influence and leadership by strengthening partnerships between Australian organisations and partner organisations in the region. Fellowships target senior and mid-career officials and professionals who are in a position to advance development outcomes in priority areas and increase the institutional capacity of partner countries through their leadership.