Make a difference overseas

Doctors wishing to make a difference overseas are invited to take part in this year’s BMA Humanitarian Fund, which is launched today. Applications are open today and are open to all current NHS employees aiming to take part in a humanitarian medical project between July 2016 and July 2017. The fund, which last year was increased to £30,000, provides financial support to doctors looking to take part in projects in the developing world. Operating for more than 10 years, recent projects have included a programme providing treatment to deaf children in Sri Lanka and operations to reverse cleft palates in Kenya. BMA international committee chair Terry John (pictured) said: ‘Each year I am impressed by the dedication shown by the NHS staff who offer their time and expertise to projects overseas. 'The Humanitarian Fund is aimed at making sure that cost doesn't prevent projects from taking place — if you've got a project you're considering then do apply.’   Sound and vision Associate specialist in ENT surgery Ranjit Thambyrajah was one of a number of doctors who used the fund to pursue a medical project. Dr Thambyrajah, who is normally based at Dunstable hospital in Luton, last year traveled to Sri Lanka to treat children the country's deaf schools. During his two-week stay, he fitted hearing aids to almost 30 children aged between five and 20, many of whom had been deaf from birth while others had lost hearing owing to illness or traumatic injury...
Source: BMA News - Category: UK Health Source Type: news