The funds donated by 24 District Clubs and individuals in 2014-2015, totalling $38,655 (of which the Nunawading Club contributed $3000) was, together with about $2000 from funds raised this year, were allocated in November 2015 to a surgical and training program in Laos. A private fund has put in another $30,000 approx. to facilitate this two week program. The Interplast team left early this month and here is the first report from Di Gillies the Interplast rotary Co – Ordinator.
Who knows, there may be an opportunity for an ongoing District 9810 involvement. Every effort will be made this year to raise the necessary funds to fund another surgical team and the magnificent contributions from our Club this year with the two fundraising events and the individual donations should get us over the line. Thanks for our Clubs wonderful support last year and this year!
Len Brear District 9810 Interplast Chair
10th February 2016
Here's a brief update from the Interplast team who are in Laos now...
The team have all arrived safely in Vientiane. They are working at the Mahosot General Hospital from Monday 8 through to Friday 19 February.
On Monday 8 February the team was warmly welcomed at the hospital by the Director of the Hospital, Dr Bounthaphany, the Australian Ambassador to Laos, Mr John Williams, the Women's International Group and hospital staff. Lao media and TV crew were also there to capture the occasion (see article in Lao News Agency: http://kpl.gov.la/en/detail.aspx?id=10331) N.B: Interplast team will operate in February 2016 at Mahosot Hospital - not in December 2016 as per the last line in the Laos news article.
Interplast Volunteer Surgeon & Lao Country Coordinator, Philip Slattery and Interplast Volunteer Anaesthetist, Chris Lowry have also had a meeting with hospital management to discuss the future planning for plastic and reconstructive surgery at Mahosot General Hospital. This meeting was very fruitful and a young plastic surgeon has been identified that Interplast will work closely with to keep building up the capacity of the hospital.
The team have reported that the consultation clinic on Monday 8 February "went really well...and they have some great cases to do". These operations will be performed from Tuesday 9 thru to Thursday 18 February).
That's about as much as we can report at the moment....they keep in contact with the office by email but a proper report will be forwarded after they return.
Hope that helps spread the word !
regards,
Di Gillies
Rotarian Coordinator│ Interplast Australia & New Zealand
Royal Australasian College of Surgeons Building, 250 - 290 Spring Street, East Melbourne, VICTORIA 3002
