Supporting healthcare training in the Solomon Islands
Monash Rural Health Bendigo has donated a hi-fidelity training mannequin to the Solomon Islands for use as a training tool to support nurses and doctors in their clinical training.
In a recent 12 month stint in the Solomon Islands, Monash Rural Health clinical skills educator Lynne Wanefalea worked closely with the National Referral Hospital to develop and implement the Solomon Islands Triage System (SITS). It was during this experience, she noticed the chronic shortage of training resources such as training mannequins.
“Whilst I was there, the only way in which trainees were able to learn intubation was through working with cadavers,” observed Lynne.
With the donation of this training mannequin, medical students and trainees in the Solomon Islands will be able to learn clinical skills more easily. The training mannequin is run by a sim pad and was donated by the Monash Rural Health Clinical Skills and Simulation Centre in Bendigo to the National Referral Hospital (NRH) in Honiara, Solomon Islands. Many thanks to the support of the Australasian College of Emergency Medicine (ACEM) for supporting transport of the mannequin.
“We are very excited to have this mannequin as a training tool as it is difficult to offer specialised airway management training without the correct equipment,” said Dr Trina Sale, Director of Emergency Medicine from the national Referral Hospital.
Monash Rural Health Bendigo is proud to support healthcare training in the Solomons, supporting the next generation of local health specialists.
Chris Holmes, director of Monash Rural Health Bendigo offered his support to this initiative.
“Monash Rural Health is proud to support health care training and education in the Solomon Islands, and we look forward to future shared opportunities to expand training for doctors in regional areas across both countries.”