EDITORIAL COMMENT – Setting a new standard! - Voice of Asia - Telling Stories from Asia to the World!

It's undoubtedly good news that patients in Fiji will no longer need to travel abroad for complex brain surgeries. This means we may no longer need to pay exorbitant fees for complicated brain tumor operations. All of this is thanks to Fiji's largest, 130-bed, advanced private specialist hospital, which has set a new benchmark in its medical milestones.

The neurosurgical team at Pacific Specialist Healthcare (PSH Hospitals), led by Dr. Alan Biribo, recently successfully completed a brain tumor surgery at their Suva hospital in just two hours, a stark contrast to the six hours typically required. According to the team, the success of this rare surgery, performed on an anonymous patient, was due to the latest ultrasonic neuro-aspirator purchased from a reputable German manufacturer.

Behind this groundbreaking surgery is the wealth of experience accumulated over decades by Dr. Biribo and his dedicated team of professional surgeons. It is reported that the neurosurgical team led by Dr. Biribo successfully removed a large sphenoid wing meningioma (a large brain tumor) from the patient's brain, and the short operation time was unprecedented in Fiji and throughout the Pacific region.

The successful procurement and commissioning of the ultrasonic neuro-aspirator has been a ten-year dream for PSH Hospitals. This new technology was critical to the success of the surgery, enabling the team to remove the tumor quickly and safely. Dr. Biribi stated that their goal has always been to prioritize patient safety over speed. He believes this breakthrough marks a significant turning point in neurosurgical care in Fiji. In the past, many patients had to travel overseas for complex brain surgeries, facing high costs and long waiting times.

Brain surgery is often complex because of the associated risks and potential complications, such as bleeding, infection, brain swelling, and even brain damage. Furthermore, there are issues related to speech problems, memory problems, balance, vision, and personality changes that need to be addressed. Therefore, we now have an excellent opportunity to embrace change and take a significant step forward in medical processes and treatments. Shorter surgery times mean faster recovery and lower treatment costs! This development is noteworthy, laying the foundation for greater development for all of us in the future, and we should recognize that we have experts and advanced medical facilities.