Supporting Orthopedic Outreach from Orthopaedics SA on Vimeo.
Orthopaedic Outreach is the Australian Orthopaedic Associations humanitarian arm. They provide orthopaedic services and training in areas of need, throughout South East Asia & the Pacific Islands, including Fiji, the Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, East Timor, Cambodia, Vietnam and Bali.
Orthopaedic Outreach coordinate teams of volunteer surgeons, anaesthetists, nurses and physiotherapists treat patients suffering from trauma, infection, tumour and congenital conditions such as club-foot. All health professionals donate their time for free, with Orthopaedic Outreach paying for their economy airfares and basic accommodation in these developing countries.
The impact of Outreach programs are felt beyond the individual patient, as the care provided restores limb function, allowing patients to support their families and reduce the burden on local communities and governments. By developing close, ongoing relationships and training programs with local surgeons and healthcare teams, there is also a transfer of knowledge that provides long term benefits to future patients and local communities.
In addition to providing ongoing financial support, Orthopaedics SA surgeons have been volunteering their time for a number of years. At home in Australia, they have been coordinating the collection and shipment of medical materials and equipment to areas of need. This ongoing relationship has allowed our surgeons to see first-hand the meaningful change achieved by the Outreach programs.
A/Prof Peter Cundy & A/Prof Nicole Williams are particularly proud of their contribution the Ponseti Club Foot Programs in Fiji, Samoa & the Solomon Islands. While club-foot impacts only 1 in 1,000 Australian children, it affects 5 in 1,000 children in the South Pacific. The courses provided to local healthcare teams have created local clinics which are now running independently, ensuring quality ongoing treatment for local children.
How can you help?
You can give a cash donation at https://www.orthoreach.org.au/donate/. Orthopaedic Outreach is a registered international charity and donations are tax deductible.
Donate your used post-operative equipment. If you have a boot, brace, crutches, or splint in good condition, you can donate them at any of Orthopaedics SA 6 main locations and we’ll send them to areas of need.
To learn more about Orthopaedic Outreach visit https://www.orthoreach.org.au/