The Rotaplast Project
Portions taken from the Rotaplast Web Site (http://www.rotaplast.org)Contact at info@rotaplast.org
The Mission of Rotaplast International is to provide free reconstructive surgery and treatment for underprivileged children worldwide, to provide education, and to advance research in the prevention of cleft lip and palate.
Saving Smiles - Changing Lives
The goal of Rotaplast International is to eliminate the incidence of untreated cleft lips and palates in children worldwide by the year 2025. Rotaplast will employ the following strategies to reach this goal:
FACILITATE medical missions to provide surgical intervention for children who are not able to receive treatment or who are in need of more complicated medical procedures than can be provided by local physicians.
COUNSEL families about ways of preventing cleft palate anomalies through diet, vitamin supplementation, and life style changes.
COLLABORATE with local health professionals on follow-up care and on development of comprehensive cleft palate programs where feasible.
LEARN about the incidence and causes of cleft lip and palate anomalies, including both genetic and environmental factors.
EDUCATE local physicians and specialists by urging them to work with our teams to broaden their skills in treating cleft anomilies.
FOSTER international goodwill and fellowship by working with Rotarians as well as with health officials in host countries.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What causes cleft lip and palate anomalies?
A: There are a number of reasons for the cleft anomaly including a genetic predisposition, diet, life style, lack of adequate vitamins especially folic acid, smoking while pregnant, and pollution. Research has shown that a genetic predisposition can be triggered by any of these factors thus increasing the chance for the cleft anomaly to appear more frequently among those who are poor.
Q: Why do we see so few individuals with cleft anomalies in the United States?
A: Healthcare providers and the public healthcare system subsidize the cost of reconstructive surgery for most children born with cleft lips and palates in the U.S. These programs are often not present in developing countries.
Q: How is Rotaplast working to address this disparity?
A: In addition to providing free reconstructive surgery, Rotaplast also teaches local surgeons about the most up-to-date surgical techniques for cleft cases. Local medical communities are encouraged to adopt a multi-disciplinary approach to treatment, including orthodontic and speech therapy follow-up programs.
Q: Is Rotaplast's work limited to the treatment of pediatric cleft lip and palate cases?
A: Rotaplast's primary mission is the treatment of children with cleft anomalies. In some locations, Rotaplast treats burn patients and those with other birth defects that can be corrected by plastic surgery. Occasionally, teenage and adult patients receive treatment.
Q: What is the length of a Rotaplast mission? What is a typical schedule?
A: Travel time is two to three days. One day, usually Sunday, is set aside for fellowship with host Rotarians. The first full working day is the clinic day when our volunteer surgeons and pediatricians screen the patients that will receive surgery. Five or six consecutive days of surgery follow the clinic. The last day is another clinic day when patients are examined one last time and parents are given final post-op care instructions.
Q: How many people are on a Rotaplast team?
A: A typical team has 30 members. Under special circumstances, the team size may be as small as 20 or as large as 45. A team will usually run three operating rooms daily for five to six days. Each operating room requires a plastic surgeon, an anesthesiologist, an operating room nurse, and other support volunteers. The number of operating rooms determines the size of the recovery staff. Approximately two-thirds of a Rotaplast team is made up of medical professionals and the remaining third are non-medical volunteers.
Q: How many children receive treatment on each trip?
A: Approximately 100 children receive treatment during each mission. As of the beginning of 2002, Rotaplast has helped over 4,000 children.
Q: How many trips are conducted each year?
A: Currently, Rotaplast is planning 14 medical missions for 2002.
Q: Who covers the expenses of each Mission?
A: Rotaplast pays the airfare for all medical volunteers and asks that non-medical volunteers pay for their own airfare. All volunteers are booked as a group through a travel agency. Group booking is necessary for logistical reasons. Housing and local transportation expenses are covered either by the host Rotary Club or through a grant from The Rotaplast Foundation. Rotaplast receives funding through Rotary Clubs and Districts for each of the medical missions. To be recognized as a sponsor the supporting Club(s) and/or District(s) agrees to provide $40,000 in funding. This amount does not cover the entire costs of a mission and the remaining funding is solicited through the Rotaplast Foundation from sources outside Rotary. Rotaplast provides logistics solicits donations of non-durable medical supplies such as sutures and anesthesia (valued at $30,000 per mission), staffs the teams, conducts site visits, and works with the sponsors both domestically and internationally.
Q: How can I help?
A: There are many ways to participate - as an individual, as an organization, or as a Rotary Club. You can join the over 1,000 volunteers worldwide in helping to bring smiles to children through financial support, donations of equipment and supplies, and volunteer service. Please contact our office for more information. Your support will be greatly appreciated!