Central Coast Neurosurgeon leads team of Angels to Papua New Guinea
See how Dr Marc Coughlan and his Gosford Private team are supporting patients in need in Papua New Guinea.
Neurosurgeon, Dr Marc Coughlan, and his team of PNG Angels are set to once again pack their bags and head off on a charity mission to help those in need in Papua New Guinea.
Dr Coughlan and the volunteers from Coastal Neurosurgery on the NSW Central Coast, are lending a helping hand to some of Australia’s nearest neighbours with the support of Gosford Private Hospital.
While the two countries are located within 4 kilometres of each other, the facilities, technology and standard of care is worlds apart.
“It’s great to be heading back to Papua New Guinea, we have established a strong connection with the neurosurgical team at Port Moresby General Hospital and we are excited to share new techniques and equipment with them,” said Dr Coughlan.
“I established PNG Angels back in 2020 as a way to share expertise and essential supplies with the people of Papua New Guinea. Whilst saving lives is paramount, we are also focused on empowering local communities. Our vision is for a self-sufficient Papua New Guinea capable of meeting its own complex neurosurgical needs without international intervention in years to come.”
“We know that the age range for this mission is as young as 18 months old, so the sooner we get there to help, the better the outcomes the patients will have,” said Dr Coughlan.
The PNG Angels team leave for Papua New Guinea on Monday 17th March. Comprising volunteer medical professionals from Gosford Private Hospital and other leading hospitals in New South Wales, including neurosurgeon Dr Saeed Kohan, Assistant Surgeon Dr Luke Timmermans and Anaesthetist Dr Saira Hussain, along with volunteer nurses Asha Ajayakumar, Samantha Brown, Lisa Copp, Hannah Almady, Summer Leonard and Melissa Millar, the team will ensure that every aspect of patient care is handled expertly.
“The team is focused on delivering high impact clinical training and surgical techniques. We will be donating over $220,000 worth of equipment, including specialised hardware to assist with intricate brain tumour surgeries. The supplies will empower local medical teams to continue these complex procedures long into the future,” said PNG Angels Director, Susannah Hales.
“We’re pleased to have the opportunity to support our local Central Coast surgeon, Dr Coughlan, with the donation of supplies, equipment and the expertise of our staff to assist on this important mission,” said Gosford Private Hospital CEO, Stephen Johnston.
The PNG Angels rely on the support of local philanthropists and businesses. If you would like to support the work of PNG Angels, please donate online at pngangels.org.au. Further information about the work of Dr Coughlan and his team can be viewed here.
Photo credit: Jeremy Hudson
