ANZGITA - 10th Anniversary that Builds on Earlier Work
In September 2014 ANZGITA came into existence. It followed on from GEFiTT which was a less formal group doing programs in Fiji from 2007. In the 10 years there have been about 60 in-country programs delivered over one, two and four week periods in nine countries. Around 130 trainers have delivered those programs.
Plus there have been a number of on-line initiatives, e.g. during COVID years and now vTERM. And then there has been the support around fellowships, equipment, materials and more. Well done to everyone who has contributed.
2024 Training Programs Progress
So far this year seven training programs have been delivered with four to go. These cover partner hospitals in Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste, Fiji, Samoa, Tonga and Kiribati. Thanks to all the trainers, senior staff in our partner's hospitals and to the trainees for the success to date.
Also now a one-week service delivery program with some training in Nauru in early December. A mixed Fijian (Dr Mai Ling Perman and RN Maraia Ratumaiyale) and Australian team.
2025 Programs Scheduled
We had an 68 responses to our call for 2025 volunteer trainers - evenly split between doctors and nurses. Fantastic, thank you, but not everyone could be offered a position. Robyn Nagel, our programs coordinator, has noted those whom she could not offer a position for future placements if they are available.
All up, at least eleven programs across six, possibly more, countries involving 47 volunteer trainers will be delivered. They will start in February and run regularly through to October.
2024 AGM
The AGM will be a Zoom event on 28 October. It will be at 7.15pm (AEDT - the east coast of Australia, except Qld will be on daylight saving time), 6.15pm (AEST) 9.15pm (NZDT), 8.15pm (FJT). The Notice of Meeting will go out soon, so please look for it in your emails.
No-longer-needed Equipment & Accessories? WE CAN USE!
If you are aware of endoscopes or other equipment as well as accessories used in endoscopy units that are no longer required, please consider donating them to ANZGITA. Thank you for those who have done so this year. Note that expired accessories are not necessarily unusable. Please check with us. Our partners are in low resource countries and, although they work hard to resource their units, there is always an opportunity for us to assist. We work with industry partners to refurbish equipment. This activity is a high priority for us.Read More Here.
Please put in a good word for us with whoever is responsible or, better still, let us know who we should speak to. We can arrange for donations to be picked up and stored. Please email [email protected].
Good Reads
Here are some articles that caught our eye this month. If you have suggestions for the next newsletter, please let us know.
The Lowy Institute published a very good summary overview of the geopolitical situation in the Pacific. "The Great Game in the Pacific Islands" - a data snapshot in their terms. A quick read but very informative.
SPONSORSHIP SUPPORT
ANZGITA gratefully acknowledges the support of all our sponsors, donors and grant providers who have generously supported our work.
We particularly note the continuing financial support of the JGH Foundationover many years, the Epworth Foundation for the support of our Samoa programs andRACS Global Health PCSHWIP, which receives DFAT funding, for the Fiji program. GENCA is also providing financial support in 2024.
The following industry suppliers have committed long-term substantial support in-kind and in some cases financial: CR Kennedy, Whiteley, Boston Scientific,Steris, Cook Medical, Olympus and Pentax.
