Interplast - why it is such a great program

Together they provided us with some insights into this amazing joint venture between Rotary and the Royal Australian College of Surgeons.  They have both been out on previous Interplast trips and in between the work of changing people's lives they do manage to snatch some time to find out more about the places they are working in. 

 

Interplast Australasia has been helping to change the lives of people in 25 countries in the Asia Pacific region for over 35 years.  They have consulted with over 41,000 patients and performed over 24,000 medical procedures during this time.  Interplast provides reconstructive surgery for patients in developing countries who would otherwise not be able to afford it.  They also provide training and mentoring to local medical professionals in the countries they visit.  Interplast is about repairing bodies and rebuilding lives.

 

Initially the work was focused on repairing cleft palates, but as the year's have gone on, they have moved more into the realm of repairing bodies that have been ravaged by burns; and/or people who have disfigurements that, if left untreated, would make the person an outcast in their own community.   The move has come about because of the training work that the doctors do while on an Interplast trip.  Now the local doctors are generally able to the cleft palate operations for themselves.

 

One of the joys of the work they do is to see the change in the life of the person they are operating on.  A single operation can unlock someone's life and it is wonderful to see them making eye contact with people as a result.  The joy they bring to families is unbelievable; and when an operation is performed the whole community benefits.

 

They rely solely on funding from donations to Interplast.  We were delighted to be able to tell them that we have almost enough funds available to send another team out. 

 

If anyone has a few spare $$$ that can be added to the pot, please contact the Ascot Rotary Club so we can add your donation to the mix.

 

Thank you to David, James and Past District Governor Brian Guest for providing us with an update of this amazing program.