In a commendable display of international collaboration and medical expertise, Taiwan's renowned MacKay Memorial Hospital medical team returned to Fiji's Nadi Hospital in October 2023. MacKay Medical Team is a collective of highly skilled professionals, including a total of seven professionals led by Dr. Chen, Tse-Hao, an emergency medicine specialist. Other members of the 2nd MacKay Medical Team including Dr. Huang, Chi-Feng, Nephrologist, Dr. Lee, Cheng-Hsun, Emergency medicine specialist, Dr. Lin, Dai-Yi, Cardiologist, Dr. Lin, Yen-Chen, Pediatrician, Wang, Wen-Hui, a dedicated senior registered nurse of Operating Room, and Sun, Chia-Yi, deputy team leader and a dedicated senior registered nurse of International Medical Service Center, will be overseeing logistics to ensure seamless operations during the visit.
As the dedicated team approached Nadi Hospital, they were met with a scene of a long line of patients eagerly awaiting medical attention. Drawing from their previous collaboration with Nadi Hospital's professionals and medical students and the continuous online discussion before arrival, the MacKay team introduced the new members to the Nadi team, collaborated to set up the clinic area swiftly, and launched specialized outpatient services in cardiology, nephrology, and pediatrics.
Cardiology consistently to be the most in-demand specialty in the region as usual. Among the notable cases was a patient with a history of rheumatic heart disease, who had undergone mitral valve repair surgery 17 years ago at Suva Hospital, performed by an Australian medical team. Due to limited local medical resources, this patient had not received follow-up care for five years. Learning of the Taiwanese medical team's return to Nadi Hospital, she promptly registered for an appointment. A cardiac ultrasound revealed severe mitral valve stenosis, and Dr. Lin, Dai-Yi from MacKay's cardiology department recommended expedited valve replacement surgery. The patient was immediately referred to Lautoka Hospital, which later facilitated surgery arrangements for that patient.
Additionally, during a routine follow-up, a patient with a history of myocardial infarction was unexpectedly found to have an abnormality of the aortic valve, raising concerns about endocarditis. Without delay, the patient was referred to Lautoka Hospital for immediate admission and treatment.
Complementing the medical services, the MacKay team also conducted educational activities. On the first afternoon, the Cardiologist Dr. Lin, Dai-Yi, delivered insightful training sessions on Acute coronary syndrome- Acute and Long-term Management Goals, with participation from over forty medical students. The following day saw practical courses, including morning hands-on training in Tracheal Intubation by Emergency Medicine specialist Dr. Lee , Cheng-Hsun and afternoon sessions on Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) by Pediatrician Dr.Lin, Yen-Chen. Over 60 medical students actively engaged in these sessions, their enthusiasm palpable. Students appreciated the hands-on experience, emphasizing the importance of practical, repetitive training in real clinical scenarios.
Taiwan MacKay medical team has maintained a steadfast commitment to its partnership with Nadi Hospital, ensuring that its missions align with the pressing healthcare needs of the local community. Their unwavering dedication was evident in their efforts to address the requirements of specialty outpatient clinics and provide essential training to Nadi Hospital's healthcare staff and aspiring medical students.
This mission serves as a testament to the power of international collaboration and the shared commitment to enhancing healthcare in Fiji, reflecting the remarkable dedication of the Taiwan MacKay medical team and invaluable contributions to the people of Fiji.
