The PNG Cancer Relief Society has donated three critical medical machines to the National Cancer Center at Angau Memorial Hospital.
This donation is part of the Society’s ongoing commitment to enhancing cancer care in Papua New Guinea, as it has supported cancer patients for 48 years.
The donated equipment includes a suction machine for the cancer wards, an electrocardiography (ECG) machine for the chemotherapy day ward, and a gynaecological table for gynaecologic examinations.
Dr. Cathy Timothy, a physician at the National Cancer Center, expressed deep gratitude to the PNG Cancer Relief Society and donors for their support, reports the PNG Cancer Relief Society in a social post.
She acknowledged the critical need for this equipment, emphasizing the importance of the ECG machine for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.
“The centre has never had an ECG machine, which is crucial for monitoring the hearts of patients receiving certain chemotherapy drugs that can affect cardiac function.”
“Ensuring the heart is healthy before chemotherapy is vital,” Dr. Timothy said. She confirmed that the ECG machine is already in use, while the suction machine and gynaecological table will soon be set up in the clinic.
An ECG machine, also known as an electrocardiogram machine, is a medical device used to measure the electrical activity of the heart over a period of time.
The machine records the heart’s electrical signals, which helps healthcare providers assess heart function, detect arrhythmias, identify heart disease, and monitor the effects of medications or other treatments.
An ECG is a common test that is non-invasive and can provide crucial information about a patient’s heart health.
Additionally, Dr. Timothy noted that with the recent reopening of the radiotherapy machine, more women and girls are expected to seek gynaecologic examinations.
“We treat many cervical cancer patients, and having a proper gynaecological table for thorough examinations is essential,” she added.
The Society thanked The Order of Saint John for funding the machines and all partners for their continued support in enhancing cancer care in Papua New Guinea.