Dili, July 22, 2026 (Media Democracia) – Specialist doctors from Queensland Children’s Hospital in Australia will carry out surgery for children who were born with malformations, including imperforate anus, hypospadias, chronic constipation, umbilical hernia, anal polyp, and undescended testis. The surgeries will take place over a period of two weeks, from July 22 to July 31, 2026.
The Director of Clinical Assistance Services at Guido Valadares National Hospital (HNGV), Eligio de Araújo Soares, said that HNGV is working together with Queensland Children’s Hospital from Australia, specifically in the area of pediatric surgery. This cooperation has been going on for many years to provide consultations to patients at HNGV.
“In this period we also identify patients with pediatric surgery problems, such as babies born with imperforate anus, meaning their anus is completely closed and they cannot pass stool. Hypospadias, where baby boys are born and urinate abnormally. Some who have already had surgery still get chronic constipation, or cannot pass stool properly until their stomach becomes swollen, Umbilical Hernia, which is a swelling in the belly button or infection in the belly button. Anal Polyp, where extra skin appears in the anus or at the opening. And Undescended Testis.” said the Director of Clinical Assistance Services at HNGV, Eligio de Araújo Soares.
The Director also stated that starting today, the medical teams will begin identifying patients. The medical team from Australia consists of 7 people, including the team coordinator for pediatric surgery and anesthesia, as well as nurses and some equipment.
“They arrived yesterday. The medical team has 7 people, including their team coordinator for pediatric surgery, anesthesia, and nurses. They also brought some of their equipment. Today they are doing consultations and identification, and starting Wednesday they will begin surgery on the patients they have identified.” he said.
He said that some of the patients having surgery now had already had surgery last year. Based on the initial estimate, there are about 150 children.
“According to the initial estimate there are about 150 children, but after we made an announcement the number increased and is now more than 150.” he said.
He added that around 30 patients had been identified before to have surgery, but the number of patients continuing to come in may now be even more than that.
“After the surgery we will monitor the changes and they will also do follow-ups when the team comes back next year. Some of these patients also had surgery last year, but now they are coming back for a check-up on the surgery done last year.” he reported.
The cause of these illnesses every year, for which specialist doctors from Australia come to do the surgeries, is malformation. This doesn’t happen after birth.
“When the babies are still in their mother’s womb, the malformation occurs and then affects the organs in their body. Later when they are born, it happens like with our anus being completely closed, or their systems not functioning at all.” he explained.
Currently the surgery doctors are mentoring the medical team at HNGV. The plan going forward is for our doctors to build specialist capacity and think about pursuing sub-specialties.
“Right now our surgery doctors are accompanying our doctors. For the future, the plan is for our doctors and our specialists to think about taking sub-specialties. I think in surgery that would be in cardiothoracic, and also in pediatrics and then also neonatology. We need sub-specialties that are specific for children.” he reported.
He said HNGV has a plan to submit to the Ministry of Health so that next year they can provide training for the specialists who are currently working
Report By: Neliá
Photo: Nelson