INTERPLAST

In a nutshell, Interplast is a not-for-profit organisation working to improve the quality of life for people with disability who are disabled as a result of congenital or acquired medical conditions such as cleft lip and palate or burn scar contractures. This is done by sending fully qualified Australian and New Zealand volunteer plastic and reconstructive surgeons, anaesthetists, nurses and allied health professionals to the Asia Pacific region to provide free surgical treatment for patients who would otherwise not be able to afford access to such services. Interplast prides itself on leaving a legacy and focuses heavily on facilitating medical training and mentoring for in-country medical personnel by supporting and building the capacity of local health services.

Quite simply, their purpose is to provide life-changing surgery today and sustainable health systems tomorrow. For more information on Interplast go to this link:  http://www.interplast.org.au/

Interplast volunteers continue to treat significant numbers of burns patients. Burns are a global public health crisis. With half the world's population relying on using open flames to cook, heat and light their homes, its no surpirse accidents are concerningly common. An estimated 195,000 deaths are caused by burns annually, with the vast majority occurring in low to middle income countries. In South-East Asia alone, three times more children and young people die from burns than malaria. Exceptionally confronting, this is only one part of the problem.