When Dr Sela Koyamaibole steps into an operating theatre, he carries more than surgical skill – he carries the hopes of an entire nation.
After two and a half years of training at Northern Health through the Global Vascular Companionship (GVC) program, Dr Koyamaibole has returned home to Fiji as the country’s first vascular surgeon.
His mission is to build a much-needed vascular service from the ground up in a country where, until now, amputations were very common– performed every 12 hours on a population of just 900,000.
“Having no vascular surgeon back home says a lot,” Dr Koyamaibole said.
“We don’t necessarily treat vascular disease– we only treat what presents to us, and unfortunately, there’s only so much we can do.”
Born and trained initially in Fiji, Dr Koyamaibole graduated from the University of Fiji’s College of Medical Sciences and Nursing in 2012.
After earning a post graduate degree in general surgery and a Master’s degree while working at Suva’s Colonial War Memorial Hospital, his passion for vascular health caught the attention of Dr Iman Bayat, a vascular surgeon at Northern Health and director of the GVC.
Dr Bayat was immediately impressed by Dr Koyamaibole’s compassionate patient care and natural leadership.
Now back home, Dr Koyamaibole faces a daunting but inspiring challenge: establishing world-class vascular surgical services in Fiji.
“It’s a huge responsibility,” Dr Koyamaibole admits.
“But with the support of my mentors and the GVC, the transition will be that much easier.”
