Interplast celebrates 40 years of sending volunteer surgical teams overseas

Interplast Australia & New Zealand (Interplast) is a not-for-profit organisation who is celebrating their 40th anniversary of supporting our Asia Pacific neighbours through surgical and training programs.

Interplast has sent over 600 volunteers on more than 1,100 medical activities, provided in excess of 46,700 patient consultations, performed over 26,800 life-changing surgical procedures and facilitated over 11,700 medical training opportunities across 25 countries.

On these activities, Interplast volunteers are faced with the harsh reality that although surgical care is an integral component of health systems for all countries at all levels of development, five billion people have no access to safe, accessible and timely surgery. And yet, 30 per cent of the global burden of disease can be attributed to surgically treatable conditions.

An estimated 16.9 million lives were lost in 2010 from conditions requiring surgical care, and at least 77.2 million disability-adjusted life-years could be averted each year through provision of basic surgical services.

Interplast works to improve the quality of life for people who are born with or acquire a medical condition such as cleft lip and palate and other congenital conditions, acute and chronic burns injuries including significant burn scar contractures, hand, arm and lower limb injuries and significant and debilitating tumours or other growths''.

They do this by sending fully qualified volunteer Australian and New Zealand 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 focuses on restoring function and enabling full engagement in society for all patients.

Each surgical activity also serves as a training opportunity as Interplast focuses its efforts on empowering and enabling the local communities with the skills to deliver safe and appropriate treatment long after the team are gone.

They’ve also supported over 100 surgeons, anaesthetists and nurses from these developing countries to continue part of their training in Australia in an effort to empower local medical personnel by building their capacity to act independently.

“It has been a privilege to see the extraordinary work that our tireless volunteers have delivered across 40 years of service to our Asia Pacific neighbours. Not only have they delivered over 26,800 life-changing surgeries in 25 countries, but they have trained local medical professionals to be able to take the lead themselves,” said CEO Cameron Glover.

“Countless lives have been made better and not just the people who have been operated on, but their families and the broader community have benefited and Interplast is honoured to be able to make such a difference in the day to day lives of so many people.

Interplast recognises that the healthcare systems in developing countries lack the capacity to meet the extensive needs of the growing populations and a considerable lack of appropriately trained and skilled medical practitioners adds to the pressure.

This is why Interplast focuses heavily on facilitating medical training and mentoring for in-country medical personnel by supporting and building the capacity of local health services. Their intention is to do themselves out of a job.

Since 1983, Interplast has worked in Asia Pacific countries to help bring about change and transform lives.

Its impact on individuals, families, communities, hospitals and rural regions in our neighbouring countries over the past 40 years is undeniable.