A pioneering team of Australian general practitioner (GP) anaesthetists has successfully completed its inaugural outreach mission to Gizo Hospital.
The mission, conducted from 19 to 29 May 2026, aimed to strengthen the hospital’s anaesthesia capabilities and provide vital on-site training for local medical staff at Gizo Hospital.
A GP anaesthetist is a general practitioner of medicine who also has training and experience in anaesthesia. Rural and regional communities in Australia often depend on GP anaesthetists because of the lack of specialist practitioners in these areas.
Australian GP anaesthetists have formed a network, called Australian Volunteers for Gizo Anaesthetic Support (AVGAS), dedicated to strengthening peri-operative care in Gizo Hospital.
As a volunteer-driven initiative, AVGAS operates with a clear, long-term vision: to mentor and upskill local anaesthetic providers so they can independently sustain high-quality services across the provincial health system.
Acting Australian High Commissioner, Andrew Schloeffel, welcomed the new partnership between Gizo Hospital and AVGAS.
“These Australian practitioners have deep experience in delivering medical services in rural and remote communities, so they’re perfectly placed to support and strengthen the skills, experience and leadership already here in Gizo,” Acting High Commissioner Schloeffel said.
“This kind of partnership helps local teams continue to build their confidence and capability, so more patients can receive safe care closer to home.”
This mission represents the first Australian-led GP anaesthetic outreach specifically focused on provincial health services in Solomon Islands.
“The core focus of our mission is to share expertise, expand local capacity for safe general anaesthesia, and empower Solomon Island clinicians,” said Dr. Philip Gribble, Rural Medical Practitioner and GP-anaesthetist.
“We approach this as a true partnership. We aren’t here to dictate ‘the right way,’ but to introduce practices as complementary options to those already utilised by the local team.
“Ultimately, our goal is to reach a point where our training and support become redundant. That is how we will know we have succeeded.”
Gizo Hospital serves a large catchment area in the Western Province, but has historically been limited in the range of surgical procedures it can perform due to a shortage of specialist anaesthetic expertise and reliable supply chains. This has often required patients to travel to the National Referral Hospital in Honiara, placing significant burden on families and the national health system.
Dr. Mike Buin, Surgical lead at Gizo Hospital, welcomed the arrival of the AVGAS team.
“The presence of this experienced anaesthetic team has immediately expanded the range of surgeries we can perform locally,” said Dr. Buin. “By reducing the need for patient transfers, we are seeing a direct improvement in outcomes for our community. We look forward to this ongoing, collaborative partnership that builds lasting, sustainable capacity for our province.”
AVGAS said it remained committed to fostering local self-sufficiency and strengthening peri-operative care, ensuring that the quality of services in Gizo continues to grow long after the volunteers return home.
About AVGAS: Australian Volunteers for Gizo Anaesthetic Support (AVGAS) is a volunteer-led initiative comprising Australian health professionals committed to improving patient safety and surgical outcomes in Solomon Islands. Through mentorship and sustainable clinical training, AVGAS works to strengthen the anaesthetic services in Western Province.
