VO Australia launches new Interplast film Rebuilding Bodies and lives
INTRO: Australian Ambassador John William and Minister of Public Health, Prof. Dr. Eksavang Vongvichit, on Wednesday in Vientiane Capital launched documentary film to promote an Australia initiative to deliver reconstructive surgery to needy people in Laos.
STORY: The film highlights two decades of work in the Lao PDR by Australian NGO Interplast to provide plastic and reconstructive surgery to burn victims from remote and disadvantage communities.
Speaking at the gathering, Australian Ambassador John Williams said he hoped the film would make more Lao people aware of the opportunity to access a surgical service that was continuing to rebuild bodies and live across the country.
According to him, Interplast delivers hope, and offers a fresh start for people in most need. He said, Having seen firsthand the work of Interplast's medical teams, I admire their commitment. And I fell real pride at the impact Interplast have had over two decades in rebuilding shattered bodies, and in doing so transforming the lives of people from disadvantage and people with a disability.
Interplast sends Australian volunteer plastic and reconstructive surgeons, anaesthetists and nurses to Lao twice a year to provide surgery and training and treatment. Williams said the Australian medical teams were building an impressive legacy in the Lao PDR through their skills training for local medical staff in reconstructive and plastic surgery.
The documentary will be broadcasted on Lao National Television in coming weeks to raise awareness among Lao people living in remote area who would like to benefit from this medical support.
The Interplast surgical teams also work to improve the skills of Lao medical staff. Funded under the Australian Embassy's Direct Aid (DAP), the film was produced in Vientiane and Xiengkhouang by talented young Lao filmmaker and Australian alumni, Vannaphone Sitthirath or Kino.
Interplast Australia New Zealand is a not-for-profit organization. It has been working closely with the Lao Ministry of Public Heath since 1995 to improve the quality of life of people living with a disability as a result of medical conditions such as cleft lip/palate and burns.
