Eight-year-old Undialu Philip from Tari, Hela Province, has been given a second chance at life after successfully undergoing open-heart surgery at Port Moresby General Hospital (PMGH). The complex operation was carried out by a collaborative team of local cardiac specialists and visiting experts from Singapore. Dr. Noah Tapaua, Cardiothoracic Surgeon and Surgery Coordinator at PMGH, confirmed the successful repair of Undialu’s heart defect. The operation involved a dedicated multidisciplinary team—including surgeons, anaesthetists, perfusionists, and nurses—working seamlessly in the operating theatre. “Undialu is the first paediatric patient in a series of ten scheduled for open-heart surgeries this week,” said Dr. Tapaua. “The youngest is just 4 years old, and the oldest is 11. Three of the children have travelled from Tari, Rabaul, and Alotau, while the rest are from Port Moresby.” Dr. Tapaua expressed deep appreciation for the returning team from Singapore, whose last mission to PMGH was in 2015. “The Singapore Heart Health team has not only helped us save lives, but they’ve also been instrumental in training and empowering our local cardiac professionals,” he said, noting that several members of the PMGH cardiac team received training at Singapore’s National Heart Centre between 2012 and 2014. PMGH Chief Executive Officer Dr. Paki Molumi echoed the gratitude, highlighting the importance of the ongoing collaboration. “We are committed to strengthening this partnership so our local team can eventually perform open-heart surgeries independently,” Dr. Molumi stated.