Medical alumni from Divine Word University (DWU) have strengthened their diagnostic capabilities after completing a Basic Ultrasonographic Skills Workshop aimed at improving patient care and healthcare services across Papua New Guinea.
The intensive training program, delivered by the Department of Medicine at DWU's Madang Campus, was supported through the Old Dart Foundation (ODF) program and equipped participants with practical ultrasound skills increasingly recognised as essential in modern clinical practice.
The workshop combined classroom instruction with extensive hands-on training, covering the fundamentals of ultrasound, sonographic anatomy and the diagnosis of common conditions affecting the abdomen, urinary system, breast and thyroid, as well as obstetric and gynaecological patients.
Participants received supervised practical experience by performing ultrasound scans on patients and training with the SonoSim virtual ultrasound simulation platform. The advanced simulator, acquired through the support of the Government of Poland, enabled participants to practice diagnosing common medical conditions using realistic clinical scenarios.
Head of the Department of Medicine, Professor Dr. Jerzy Kuzma, said ultrasonography has become a core clinical skill for modern doctors, particularly with the growing use of point-of-care ultrasound to support faster and more accurate bedside diagnosis.
"Ultrasonography has become an essential clinical skill for every modern doctor. Point-of-care ultrasound is transforming patient care by enabling faster, more accurate bedside diagnosis, making it a core competency for 21st-century medical practice," Professor Kuzma said.
He said the university remains committed to preparing future doctors for the evolving healthcare environment through investment in innovative training technologies.
"We have invested in a state-of-the-art virtual ultrasound training system and have recently integrated basic ultrasonographic skills into the MBBS curriculum, ensuring that our current students graduate with this important competency," he said.
The workshop also included supervised ultrasound assessments of pregnant mothers, giving participants practical experience in maternal and antenatal care. Early ultrasound examinations play an important role in detecting pregnancy-related complications and improving health outcomes for both mothers and babies.
The training was made possible through the continued support of the Old Dart Foundation, which also provides 200 scholarships each year to DWU students enrolled in health science programs. The foundation's investment in education and professional development continues to strengthen Papua New Guinea's future healthcare workforce.
Participants described the workshop as highly valuable, saying it significantly improved their confidence in using ultrasound as a diagnostic tool. They said the new skills would help them identify common medical conditions more effectively, make timely clinical decisions, and deliver better patient care in their respective workplaces.
The Department of Medicine congratulated the participating ODF-supported DWU medical alumni on successfully completing the program and acknowledged the contributions of the Old Dart Foundation and the Government of Poland in advancing medical education and healthcare capacity in Papua New Guinea.
The workshop forms part of Divine Word University's ongoing efforts to strengthen practical medical training and enhance healthcare delivery by equipping medical professionals with modern diagnostic skills.
