Frankston Standard Leader (Australia)

October 27, 2003 Monday

Retiring surgeon; checks out Timor

RETIRED peninsula surgeon David Price is in East Timor assessing future options for voluntary medical work in Dili.

Dr Price, 63, who "retired" two months ago, left for East Timor on Sunday, September 21.

He is an active member of the peninsula-based Friends of Los Palos committee. The group supports the eastern region of the country one of the poorest in East Timor.

"Our tour will really take in most of East Timor, and while I'm there I'll check out the possibility of doing a surgical locum at the Dili General Hospital," Dr Price said.

"We'll also meet up with Rosalie Sword, the mother of Kirsty Sword who is married to the president of East Timor, Xanana Gusmao.

"When she's home on the Mornington Peninsula, Rosalie is also an active member of the Los Palos group. She has helped us make connections with people over there."

The committee sends the Los Palos community medical, educational and agricultural resources, donated by peninsula residents.

Considering his options for voluntary medical work is not new to Dr Price, who has used his medical knowledge to benefit poor communities throughout his professional life.

During his 28 years at Frankston Hospital, he was well-known for using his annual leave to visit Third World countries and work voluntarily for four to six weeks as a locum.

Some of his ventures include working at Manoron Christian Hospital in central Thailand, where he operated on general and leprosy patients.

His interest in the medical work to treat leprosy patients has also seen him maintain a voluntary role on the state advisory committee with the Leprosy Mission Australia for the past 15 years.

Dr Price is also an active member of the Mornington Uniting Church.

For more information about the Friends of Los Palos Committee, contact secretary Helen Hendrey, on 5975 3882.

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