Last week we were privileged to have Shefali update us on Interplast in Asia Pacific; she is an absolutely amazing woman with a huge heart and a work rate to match and as I said in my introduction she is a Rotarian Pocket Rocket! After migrating to New Zealand in 1997, Shefali joined Auckland Harbourside the following year and the Club hasn’t been the same since. She has served on many committees and when President in 2012-13, the Club raising $107,000.00 for Starship and Auckland Medical Research. She is hugely active in the wider community and was awarded a Queens Service Medal in 2016 for services to the Indian Community along with everyday activities as a JP and Deputy Chair for Global India New Zealand.
Interplast Australia and New Zealand has been part of Rotary in both countries since its inception in 1983 and since then the work of Interplast’s professional volunteers has resulted in over 25,000 life changing plastic and reconstructive surgeries as well as the training of countless medical staff across 17 counties in the region.
Our District funded the successful programme in Tonga last May where the team of seven professionals performed 41 procedures an patients ranging from 1 to 45 years old and across cleft lips and palate, burns, skin lesions and soft tissue deformities, working alongside local general surgeon Dr Alamea Furlivai.
The next project is to take the team to Kiribati during May 2020 as an Allied Health Training Activity and this will run alongside a surgical team visit who will train locals in many procedures building up their skills, knowledge and confidence around rehab for their patients.
Funding from the district will provide for Airfares, accommodation training equipment and supplies and will be shared by all clubs endorsing this wonderful programme.
Good luck with this mission.
Our District funded the successful programme in Tonga last May where the team of seven professionals performed 41 procedures an patients ranging from 1 to 45 years old and across cleft lips and palate, burns, skin lesions and soft tissue deformities, working alongside local general surgeon Dr Alamea Furlivai.
The next project is to take the team to Kiribati during May 2020 as an Allied Health Training Activity and this will run alongside a surgical team visit who will train locals in many procedures building up their skills, knowledge and confidence around rehab for their patients.
Funding from the district will provide for Airfares, accommodation training equipment and supplies and will be shared by all clubs endorsing this wonderful programme.
Good luck with this mission.