2 surgeons in scrubs in the middle of surgery

Changing futures through training and mentoring

Building capacity in our partner countries is fundamental to our vision. By offering local medical professionals the chance to boost their skills and learn new techniques, we help create sustainable health systems in the communities where we work. As well as the training embedded in our surgical programs, Interplast delivers a range of targeted training and mentoring activities.

We are proud of the partnerships we have built with our network of hospitals, training institutions and other organisations across the Asia Pacific region. We respect local knowledge, and are fully guided by our in-country partners when planning training programs for the skills that are most needed in their communities.

Our training programs include perioperative and postoperative nursing, wound management, microsurgery, general and sub-specialist plastic surgery skills, occupational, speech and physiotherapy, anaesthetics and more. Training takes place within our partner countries as well as in Australia and New Zealand, and is often delivered in conjunction with other providers including:

  • Australia and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists (ANZCA)
  • Australian and New Zealand Burns Association (ANZBA)
  • Australian Society of Anaesthetists (ASA)
  • Australian and New Zealand hospitals
  • local universities and institutions.

In addition to planned training and mentoring programs, Interplast volunteers often develop enduring relationships with local medical professionals in our partner countries, guiding and coaching them both from a distance and with regular visits. Such relationships are crucial not only to develop skills, but to give ongoing support to medical personnel who are often working in remote settings with little peer support, and few, if any, specialist services.

By supporting us, you are not only helping to change individuals’ futures through access to free surgery, you are also changing the futures of hundreds of communities across the Asia Pacific region.