| The development of the ABA International Outreach program was the result of a confluence of forces: frequent inquiries from healthcare providers in developing nations on burn management, the identification an interest in international volunteerism among ABA membership and a call to action by Dr. Lynn Solem in his 2003 presidential address. These three factors stimulated discussion among ABA leadership and in 2005, the International Outreach Program was born.
After interviewing a number of international volunteer organizations, the ABA partnered with Health Volunteers Overseas in 2005. HVO is a Washington DC-based private, non-profit, non-sectarian organization dedicated to improving the availability and quality of health care in developing countries through training and education. HVO has 20 years of experience in administering international programs and together with other medical societies has established successful programs in anesthesia, orthopedics, nursing, dermatology, hand surgery and others in more than 32 countries.
Under the HVO system, after a possible site is identified, a team conducts an initial visit to assess if that site is a viable option for the program. To date, the ABA has permanent burn care programs in two locations: Christian Medical College in Vellore, India and St. Francis Medical Center in Katete, Zambia. The ABA and HVO are investigating other sites in Central America in hopes of establishing a third program which will offer adequate geographical diversity to its program portfolio.
In 2005, the ABA was fortunate enough to receive a generous grant from Children’s Burn Foundation to support international burn care activity at one of the ABA sites and has continued a strong partnership with CBF.
Information regarding upcoming trips and requests for volunteers will be posted in the ABA quarterly newsletter. Trip duration is generally two weeks. Those interested in participating in this program should contact Kitty Vineyard at the ABA at vineyard@ameriburn.org. |
