Ian Goodenough (Moore, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I wish to recognise in parliament the work of respected local surgeon Dr Jiwan Steven Singh in developing surgical instruments for laparoscopic surgery, also known as keyhole surgery, which are affordable and suitable for use in developing countries, where access to fully equipped operating theatres is limited.

From his practice at the Woodvale Private Hospital for Women in my electorate, Dr Singh has founded a medical company called SurgiToolsMIS, which has pioneered the innovative concept of producing individually packaged, single-use, sterile devices for use by surgeons in developing countries. As the surgical products are disposable and supplied sterile, they have the advantage of not requiring autoclaving after use. At a cost of approximately US$220, the surgical products are relatively accessible. Increased access to this form of minimally invasive surgery results in less pain, shorter recovery times and less physical disfigurement for patients than traditional surgery, where large abdominal incisions are conventionally made.

Dr Singh seeks government support to expand the availability of the innovative surgical products which he has pioneered to developing countries as part of Australia's foreign aid program for the benefit of humanity.