Interplast Australia & New Zealand sends teams of volunteer Plastic & Reconstructive surgeons, anaesthetists and nurses to developing countries in the Asia Pacific Region to provide free treatment and medical training.
Treatment
Interplast volunteers provide free treatment to people living with a disability from a congenital condition such as cleft lip and cleft palate or aquired conditions such as burns scar contractures. Treatment is targeted to indigent populations who would otherwise not be able to afford to access services.
People living with a disability are among the most disadvantaged in the world. Many suffer from treatable deformities and injuries but are unable to access treatment due to poverty, isolation and the lack of surgeons skilled in plastic and reconstructive surgery. 70% of the patients of Interplast are under 15 years of age. Often these children are ostracised from their society simply because they look different, or cannot perform simple tasks for themselves. They often do not go to school because they are teased by their peers. They potentially live a life without friends, or an education and often are a continual burden on their family. A simple operation will repair their condition, and give them the confidence to attend school, restore functionality, and grow up to contribute economically to their family and ultimately the community in which they live.
Development & Capacity Building
Interplast is invited over, and works with, the countries Ministry of Health and collaborates with local partners to facilitate training to improve the access to health services for the indigent population specifically in the area of plastic and reconstructive surgery and the supporting anaesthetic and nursing services.
Improved health and health service delivery are priorities for all countries visited by Interplast. Whilst most aid is directed towards primary health issues, the interdependence of all areas of the health system must not be overlooked. A health system must have a full range of trainee personnel to be effective. Training and capacity development activities are therefore given high priority by Interplast. Access to education, professional development, new technologies and mentoring are important to alleviate professional isolation, attract human resources, encourage commitment and cultivate expertise.
Interplast is helping to build capacity in the health sector and address skill shortages by working closely with the government health departments, institutions, counterparts and partners to deliver mentoring and training to doctors, nurses and allied health staff and by providing support to local institutions to strengthen their training programs. Where appropriate training attachments to Australian institutions are facilitated to complement and enhance training delivered in country and importantly to foster the developing of further leaders, a key determinant in the success of longer term strengthening of the health sector.
