Interplast’s intentions are simple. They exist to repair bodies and rebuild lives.
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. They do this 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.
Our Club donated $45,000 in the Rotary 2014-15 year to totally finance an Interplast team. This enabled a complete medical team to do vital work in the South Pacific which changed the lives of many people that otherwise would have been ostracised or severely disadvantaged by their disability.
The aim of these medical teams is to do them selves out of a job by focusing heavily on facilitating medical training and mentoring for in-country medical personnel and supporting and building the capacity of local health services. Quite simply, they provide life-changing surgery today and sustainable health systems tomorrow.
Rotarian Graeme Hudson, from our Club, has been working with Interplast for many years and has recently retired from its Board. We totally support the good work of Interplast and intend to do so for the longterm.
Interplast changes lives.
You can learn more about this incredible organisation and the partnership with Rotary in the June Week 1 Bulletin or visit www.interplast.org.au