The simulator was donated as part of an exchange project in Trauma and Emergency Medicine between SMU/DGMAH and Haukeland University Hospital (Norway) and will be used to enhance the skills of Registrars in laparoscopic surgery. “There is a high incidence of penetrating trauma patients at DGMAH/SMU. Stable patients are operated with laparoscopic access, either for laparoscopic exploration, laparoscopy assisted surgery, or definitive surgery”, said Carina Marais, Project Coordinator of NOREC.

She further said, “The Registrars operating on penetrating trauma patients at DGMAH do not have access to such high level of training instruments. The level of treatment of trauma patients will be greatly enhanced, if registrars use the same training instruments as those of Haukeland University hospital for skill training. This will contribute greatly to capacity building and knowledge of the Registrars working at DGMAH to improve patient outcomes”.

Prof Lekan Ayo-Yusuf, SMU Acting Vice-Chancellor, Ms. Lene Eriksen, Norwegian nurse, Ms. Hanne Fosse, Norwegian nurse, and Prof John Ndimande, Acting CEO of DGMAH were in attendance during the handover ceremony.