ROMAC – Rotary Oceania Medical Aid for Children.
ROMAC commenced in March 1988 out of the actions of an Australian Rotarian. A New Zealand region was formally established in 2004 and treated its first patient, from Vanuatu, in December 2005.
ROMAC has treated 537 children and involves 20 developing countries. The treatment of each child cost $50-60k.
Mission Statement - ROMAC provides surgical treatment for children in Australia and New Zealand from developing countries from our Pacific region in the form of life giving and/or dignity restoring surgery not accessible to them in their home country.
In New Zealand, children come to Auckland, Hamilton and Christchurch.
40+ cases waiting. Hopefully November to bring children to NZ ROMAC faces the great challenge of having to prioritise due to the large drop in revenue owing to the COVID restrictions on fundraising.
Volunteer Rotarians are often involved in supporting children to get to New Zealand – immigration, interpreters, working with Ronald McDonald House, providing transport, etc. The children from some islands often don’t have a birth certificate, which does cause issues with immigration.
Janet Hewson and Ross Pringle.
Janet is the representative to the ROMAC board for the lower South Island.
Thank you to Janet for her very informative presentation.