The arrival of an ear, nose and throat surgeon on the island this month will fill a crucial service gap for both paediatric and adult patients, a medical practice said.

Davor Džepina, who is also a facial plastic surgeon, plans to carry out a “detailed, individualised” approach to the treatment of patients when he begins in-person clinics at the Northshore Medical & Aesthetics Centre from January 12.

His arrival comes at a pivotal time as the island has faced a shortage of ENT specialists.

The shortfall has forced adults and children to wait for infrequent visiting clinics, or travel overseas for care.

A spokeswoman for Bermuda Hospitals Board said the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital lacked an ENT specialist on staff.

ENT Health Practice, which is run by specialist Wesley Miller on Cedar Avenue in Hamilton, provides the critical service by appointment.

Josemar Cuffe, a specialist in the field, also provides the service by appointment at ENT Office on Point Finger Road in Paget.

NMAC said the shortage of specialists over the years has created “significant strain” for families managing chronic ENT conditions, speech-related concerns in children, airway and sinus issues and post-surgical follow-up needs.

The facility said with Bermuda's longstanding shortage of professionals in the field, timely local care stood to greatly improve health outcomes and reduce the need for overseas treatment.

Kyjuan Brown, chief executive of NMAC, said: “The arrival of Dr Davor Džepina represents a tremendous milestone for Bermuda's healthcare system.

“At NMAC, our mission has always been to expand access, reduce barriers and provide innovative, more affordable, world-class care right here at home.

“ENT is one of the most needed specialities on the island and we are proud to offer families a consistent, reliable solution that they have been waiting for.”

Dr Džepina said he intends to implement new technologies in treatment only after a “critical assessment” of patients.

He told The Royal Gazette that he did comprehensive research on healthcare, including ENT treatment in Bermuda, and is prepared to take on the challenge on the island.

He said: “I have been working in many countries, mainly in Europe.

“I am a university-based physician … working at the university clinic has really exposed me to extraordinary opportunities to see and participate in the care of patients.”

Dr Džepina said he was informed by NMAC of the types of patients he could expect encounter while on the island.

“Of course, we must carefully balance between what is realistic for me as a specialist and, of course, the need to implement the type of specialised decisions,” he added.

With extensive training in the United States and Europe, Dr Džepina said “today’s medicine practice requires teamwork”.

“In order to help the people of Bermuda, I definitely need to see and learn about the system, about the possibilities of healthcare, in order to expand my knowledge to help the patients.”

Dr Džepina emphasised the value of a “detailed, individualised” approach to treatment.

He said: “I always think enough time to communicate with the patient is necessary, in order to understand why the patient is seeking help and of course to get the realistic picture of their problem, as well as any other linked or hidden problems.”

Dr Džepina, who was born in Bosnia and Herzegovina, said on occasion, the patient may not disclose critical details.

“It is my task as a physician to try to help people,” he explained.

“The patient needs to tell everything, from history of diseases, to what bothers them, to what they think is important to them.”

He operates clinics in Croatia and Austria, and treats patients in Britain.

He was licensed by the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery in 2008.

In recent years, he devoted time to facial plastic surgery — as social media’s popularity evolves, the need for people “to look good” online grows.

He explained: “The patients are coming to look at fixing some facial feature or correct a defect that may be hereditary or a result of trauma.

“Or they just want to be beautiful in society … today it is a society of beauty, nobody wants to be ugly.”

Dr Džepina said he discovered that with the evolution of social media platforms such as Instagram and TikTok, “there is an increasing number of patients, especially young people, who need psychological support”.

“They are dependent on social media pictures and they even form personalities according to the Instagram modified pictures.

“That is dangerous and presents a big problem in my profession.”

Dr Džepina said only when he is satisfied of the “psychological wellbeing” of the patient, does he continue to treat them.

Dr Brown said the physician would bring “exceptional skill, decades of global experience and a patient-centred approach” to Bermuda.

• To learn more or to book an appointment at NMAC, e-mail to book@nmac.bm or call 293-5476