Written by Long Nguyen, MD3 student (UniMelb) and Student Lead at PEARLS
Last month, I had the incredible opportunity to travel to Honiara, Solomon Islands, for a two-week elective placement at the National Referral Hospital (NRH). This journey was not just about gaining medical experience but also about contributing to a meaningful initiative called PEARLS (POCUS) for Emergency and Acute care in Resource-Limited Settings). This initiative aimed to enhance emergency care through the provision of ultrasound equipment and training to doctors in the Pacific Islands.
My involvement with PEARLS began in October 2023 primarily with assisting the team in administrative tasks. However, this evolved very quickly into up-skilling in basic ultrasound and receiving training in important protocols including eFAST, FELS and echocardiography with PEARLS faculty members including Dr Jonathan Henry, Dr Sally Hansen and Dr Kate Gleeson. This training prepared me to serve as both a ‘scout’ and a junior trainer during my placement at NRH to support local emergency doctors in adopting these crucial diagnostic tools. Dr. Jono Henry and Dr. Trina Sale (director of the NRH ED) were pivotal figures in initiating this collaboration which aims to address critical gaps in emergency care at NRH.
(Dr Trina Sale)
Upon arrival in Honiara, I was immediately struck by the juxtaposition between vibrant local culture and the challenges faced by both the people and the healthcare system. The city center's bustling shops and people surrounded greenery and stunning views of the ocean, highlighting the rich natural resources of the islands. These sit in immediate contrast to the broader issues of processed food infiltration, low health literacy and restricted/limited healthcare resources.
At NRH, I quickly integrated into the emergency department routine, delivering presentations on ultrasound techniques and facilitating hands-on training sessions to a team of approximately 20 doctors. The eagerness of the medical team to learn and apply these new skills underscored the potential impact of POCUS in improving patient outcomes. They were able to immediate relate the utility of POCUS to a great variety of cases they have encountered and how POCUS could benefit them and the patients in daily practice.
(Dr Ellison Manegehe)
The realities of healthcare delivery in a resource-limited setting were stark. Throughout my time there, I encountered a spectrum of medical challenges—from managing chronic non-communicable diseases that are under or poorly managed to navigating the complexities of infectious diseases like TB, malaria and dengue fever. Shortages of basic medical supplies, inconsistent medication availability, and infrastructure limitations were daily hurdles for the dedicated doctors and supporting staff at NRH. Despite these challenges, there was a resilient spirit among the staff, who adapted and innovated to provide the best care possible under these challenging conditions.
As I boarded my flight back to Melbourne, I carried with me a profound sense of gratitude for this transformative experience and a burning desire to do more. The warmth and generosity of the local community left an indelible mark in me, shaping my perspectives on the complexities and rewards of global health and my role as a future doctor. It has also been a privilege to be part of PEARLS's mission and to witness firsthand the impact of dedicated efforts to improve healthcare delivery in resource-limited settings.
(Group photo: (left to right) Dr Ellison Manegehe, Dr Allison Lalega, Dr Sam Beuka, Dr Celestine Tofuramo,
Dr Nyrick Eddie, Dr Inity Vaghi, Dr Trina Sale (ED Director) and nurse Kristalee Horoto)
There is no doubt in my mind that my visit to the Solomon Islands was just the beginning of much, much more.
Acknowledgement: I am immensely grateful for the support provided by the Andrew Dent Student
Elective Scholarship for making this memorable and transformative experience possible.
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