2025-7-29
From July 9 to 20, 2025, a medical team from Changhua Christian Hospital (CCH), Taiwan, conducted a medical mission to Papua New Guinea (PNG), delivering clinical services, professional exchanges, and nutrition education activities at Port Moresby General Hospital (PMGH) and Madang Provincial Health Authority (MPHA). The delegation was led by Dr. Nina Kao, CEO of the Overseas Medical Mission Center, and included Dr. Martin Kuo (Neurosurgery), Dr. Tom Wang (Cardiology), Dr. David Chiang (Orthopedics), Dr. Sam Hsia (Otolaryngology), Ms. Tiffany Hsueh (Dietitian), and Ms. Jade Cheng (Program Officer).
On July 16, Dr. David Chiang from CCH’s Department of Orthopedics collaborated with MPHA orthopedic surgeon Dr. Kune to perform the first-ever Total Hip Replacement (THR) surgery in Papua New Guinea. The patient, a 73-year-old male, had suffered from a left femoral neck fracture for over six months, rendering him unable to walk. In preparation for the surgery, the teams held multiple discussions to confirm the surgical procedure and instrument requirements. Although equipment shortages and size mismatches were encountered on the day of surgery, the team responded swiftly and adjusted accordingly. With guidance and support from Dr. Chiang, the operation was successfully completed, and the patient made a smooth recovery without complications.
This marked MPHA’s first attempt at performing a joint replacement surgery. In addition to the procedure itself, the CCH team engaged in in-depth exchanges with local medical staff on surgical workflows, operating room nursing practices, and cross-border collaboration strategies. The successful implementation of THR not only brought hope to the patient but also signified a major step forward in the transfer of orthopedic surgical expertise to PNG.
In light of the country’s high burden of chronic diseases such as diabetes and cancer, the CCH team also hosted a “Nutrition and Chronic Disease Education Seminar” at PMGH. Participants included former patients who had received treatment in Taiwan, their families, and local nurses. Dietitian Tiffany Hsueh shared practical dietary guidance tailored to different disease conditions, helping participants build accurate and sustainable nutritional habits. Educational materials and presentation slides were distributed after the session to reinforce the learning. The event received an overwhelmingly positive response from attendees and was well-received by the local community.
Beyond introducing advanced medical procedures, this mission further solidified cooperation between CCH and PNG health institutions. CCH will continue its partnerships with PMGH and MPHA through long-term clinical training, professional capacity building, and technology transfer. With these efforts, CCH remains committed to improving healthcare access and quality in underserved regions, advancing Taiwan’s role in global health development.
