In Australia and New Zealand, we often take it for granted that if we ever need medical care, we will be treated quickly and effectively by highly qualified doctors, nurses, surgeons and other specialists.
But right next door in the Asia Pacific region, a lack of resources combined with limited training means people with repairable conditions are often not treated fast enough or well enough – if they are treated at all.
The numbers are almost impossible to grasp.
An estimated 143 million people each year go without surgical attention they urgently need, according to the Lancet Commission on Global Surgery. More than 99 million of those cases are in Asia and Oceania, where Interplast works.
If a mum or dad is burned in an accident and not treated adequately, scarring can cause the affected limbs to seize up or fuse to other parts of the body. The right surgical procedure can mean the difference between returning to work, or no longer being able to provide for their family.
A child with a cleft lip or facial tumour may be teased so badly that attending school is impossible. Surgery can make the difference between missing out on an education, or fulfilling their potential. For those with cleft palates, surgery can mean the difference between being able to eat properly or suffering from malnutrition, and between speaking with ease or living in silence.
Of course, no single organisation could ever help that many people, which is why – in addition to free reconstructive surgery – Interplast delivers high quality training for local medical professionals in each of our 17 partner countries, in response to their requests. We do this in close collaboration with our local partners and a network of organisations in Australia and New Zealand.
Our training programs help strengthen health systems by giving professionals the skills they need to restore function – and hope – to people affected by burns, tumours, hand and foot injuries, congenital anomalies and more. In the meantime, our volunteer medical teams work tirelessly to help as many individuals as they can.
When you donate to Interplast, you contribute directly to changing futures today. Your donation will give someone in need the chance to have life-changing surgery, and it will give someone the opportunity to learn new skills that will benefit their community for years to come.
Across the Pacific and Asia, allied health and rehabilitation services are extremely limited. Coverage is often sporadic, and service quality varies significantly. Combined with the rising prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and disability, this places a substantial burden on already stretched health systems. As a result, people with disabilities often rely on family members or caregivers who may be ill-equipped to provide appropriate support. Limited access to rehabilitation also hinders recovery after surgery and other procedures, restricting individuals’ ability to fully participate in daily life.
Strengthening the quality of care, expanding the rehabilitation workforce, and improving the continuum of care are critical steps toward addressing these challenges.
In 2023, Interplast assumed management of Motivation Australia, a long-standing regional leader with over 15 years’ experience working with governments to improve disability, rehabilitation and assistive technology services. Their expertise now forms an integral part of Interplast’s programs, enhancing our understanding of and response to the needs of people with disabilities.
Interplast currently delivers targeted programs aimed at strengthening allied health and rehabilitation services across the Pacific and Asia, including:
We work in close collaboration with local health authorities, hospitals, and partner organisations. Together, we identify priorities, co-design programs, and ensure that interventions are culturally appropriate and sustainable.
Our approach emphasises strengthening the entire continuum of care—from pre-operative assessment and surgery to post-operative rehabilitation and long-term support—so that local professionals can deliver high-quality services well into the future.
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