Bangladesh
Interplast began providing reconstructive surgery training and service assistance to the Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) in 2004. Since then it has been identified that many of the hand surgery patients treated at DMCH are discharged from hospital following reconstructive surgery with no access to rehabilitation therapy. This leads to a major underachievement of potential improvements in function for patients, limiting their capability to be self reliant and contribute to their community. Hand therapy is required to maximise the postoperative outcomes of hand surgery patients and to prevent reoccurrence of deformity following surgery.
Since 2007, Interplast volunteers have been working at the Centre for the Rehabilitation of the Paralysed (CRP) to establish access to Hand Therapy services in Bangladesh. This year, a clinician from CRP and a lecturer from the Bangladesh Health Professionals Institute (BHPI) were selected to attend a training attachment in Melbourne. Upon their return to Bangladesh, they shared their knowledge with colleagues and students which led to the establishment of the first hand therapy unit. This unit was officially opened at CRP during an Interplast training visit in April 2009. Educational resources and equipment for the unit were funded by the project and referrals have increased steadily from 25 patients in the first month to 57 for the month of July 2009.
Two training visits were delivered by volunteer Occupational Therapists providing lectures and practical training sessions as well as clinical supervision and mentoring. A relationship was also initiated with the Faculty of Occupational Therapy at Monash University which promises to further develop and strengthen the local training curriculum.
Sincere thanks must be extended to Interplast’s Volunteer Coordinator in Bangladesh, Mr Atom Rahman. His commitment and assistance with local arrangements is invaluable, and his enthusiasm, energy and hospitality are greatly appreciated by Interplast volunteers and staff.
7 May 2010
Interplast Australia & New Zealand is pleased to announce Sr Marie Doolan has arrived safely in Bangladesh. Sr Doolan is volunteering for Interplast and working with the staff at the Acid Survivors Foundation (ASF) in Dhaka teaching them how to make pressure garments for use in the treatment of burns. The use of pressure garments in the treatment of burns patients is essential to minimize scarring and deformity. Marie intends to stay in Bangladesh for about a month and we thank her for her outstanding dedication to our program in Bangladesh.
20 May 2010
Interplast Australia & New Zealand received an update from Monira Rahman, Executive Director at the Bangladesh Acid Survivors Foundation (ASF). The ASF is a local NGO which supports victims of ‘acid burns’ in a wide range of areas including treatment, physical and social rehabilitations and in finding ways for victim to re-enter society and the workforce. The victims of acid violence are predominately women and children, abused by their husbands, other family members or members of the community. Nurse Marie Doolan is volunteering for Interplast to teach people at the ASF how to make compression garments to aid in the treatment of burns healing. “Marie is just a wonderful teacher. She has capacity to make rapport with the survivors and other participants so well that the language could not make a barrier. Everyday I hear about some exciting achievements that these girls are making. Marie is amazed to see how quick these girls learn the ins and out of this training. We have a plan to arrange a dissemination meeting at the end of the training period where we will invite Australian High Commissioner and all plastic surgeons and other professionals to show the result of the training. Marie has a plan to make at least two girls as trainer who can teach others about how to make quality pressure garment. Marie is not only a qualified trainer but also a kind person.” Interplast would like to extend their sincere thanks to Marie for outstanding efforts and making a difference by volunteering for Interplast.
