KARACHI: CHK, NICH, US varsity agree on collaboration: Reconstructive surgeries
KARACHI, July 21: A coordination is envisaged between the Burns Centre, John Hopkins University, USA, and the Burns Centre Civil Hospital, Karachi, NICH Karachi and Children’s Hospital Lahore to expedite reconstructive surgeries required by patients, particularly children inflicted either with any congenital defect or exposed to severe trauma or burns injury.
The need was largely felt by a team of American health-care professionals, comprising Dr Geof Williams, University of Texas, Medical Branch -- Galvaston, Dr Michael E Schafer, a senior reconstructive surgeon and Nurse Leslie Emnert from St Lukes Medical Centre who had been in the two cities during last three weeks conducting surgeries and offering hands on training to local surgeons, nurses and paramedics.
The team, keeping in view the long waiting list of those in need of procedures and also to ensure follow up of some of the serious cases handled by them, during their current visit, have also decided to revisit Pakistan in January next.
However, realizing that a more realistic approach is required to help all those in need of such interventions, a coordination between US based surgeons, House of Charity -- an Association of Texas based Pakistani Americans, HASWA and local institutions was agreed upon.
All relevant stake-holders agreed to help develop a regular and full-fledged setup to provide needed support to patients exposed to deformities as cleft palate, upper lips palate besides those caused due to accidents - burns and trauma, without any unwarranted delay.
The three-week visit of the US professionals that commenced on July 6 was facilitated by House of Charity and HASWA, an association of local professionals, who had been for last many years supporting resource less patients, mainly children, requiring surgical interventions to rectify deformities.
The House of Charity team, led by Ms Hashmat Effendi and Mr Ghulam Mohammad Bombay Wala and their counterpart Dr Firoze of HASWA, had not only been carrying child patients with severe deformities to Schinner Hospital for Children, Texsas -- a large majority of them have returned after recuperation, a few are still receiving treatment.
Meanwhile, Dr Michael E Schaffer, a seasoned reconstructive surgeon volunteering his expertise to treat patients in the developing world for last 20 years, has stressed the need for proper public education to contain exceptionally higher incidence of burns and trauma.
The surgeon, previously associated with St Lukes Medical Centre, had given up his job some 20 years back and took upon himself the cause to treat burn victims based in developing countries.
Dr Schaffer began with his voluntary work in Philippines and Vietnam in Asia and some other in Africa and other parts of the world.
He has been in Pakistan for last three weeks performing reconstructive surgeries on local patients with deformities.
Talking to APP, following a formal certificate distribution at the NICH, the surgeon observed that burns induced trauma injuries were being more commonly registered in some of the countries visited by him.
He attributed the situation more to negligence and reiterated the need for public education focused at prevention and precaution.
To a query, he said in particular context of Pakistan he feels that reconstructive surgery be adopted as a teamwork and following each and every surgical procedure adequate emphasis be paid towards relevant therapies, particularly physical therapy. Emphasis must be on complete rehabilitation of the patient capable enough to lead an independent life with all dignity, he commented.
Ms Leslie Emnert, a nurse with specialization in ICU care, appreciated Pakistani nurses and paramedics for their team spirit.
Nurses here are exposed to hazards which are unknown in developed world, she commented with the hope that things would improve with the passage of time.
Emnert had delivered lectures for nursing students registered with NICH School of Nursing and Nursing College DUHS besides holding series of workshops for nurses at Burns Centre - CHK, NICH and Children Section, Shalamar Hospital - Lahore.
Dr Geof William, who had been to Pakistan, a few years back on the similar mission to treat people in need, agreed to the need for close coordination in the field of training ultimately benefiting a maximum number of people.NICH Director, Prof. Afroze Ramzan, speaking at the formal certificate distribution ceremony on Friday, suggested for long-term collaboration, with the reconstructive surgical missions visiting Pakistan for at least three months duration, in a single stretch.
Some 50 junior surgeons from NICH and other facilities along with nurses and paramedics attended workshops conducted by Dr. Schaffer, Dr. Williams and Leslie Emmert.
Dr. Nasir Saleem of Paediatric Surgery Ward offered vote of thanks.—APP
KARACHI, July 21: A coordination is envisaged between the Burns Centre, John Hopkins University, USA, and the Burns Centre Civil Hospital, Karachi, NICH Karachi and Children’s Hospital Lahore to expedite reconstructive surgeries required by patients, particularly children inflicted either with any congenital defect or exposed to severe trauma or burns injury.
