Call for Aotearoa New Zealand-based specialist volunteers

Through partnerships with our Asia-Pacific neighbours, the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS) Global Health programs provide specialist medical education, formal and on-the job training and mentoring, and direct clinical services to 13 countries in the Asia-Pacific region.

The Pacific Island Program (PIP) is one of RACS Global Health’s largest programs and is supported by the Australian Government through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). It is delivered in partnership with the Fiji School of Medicine, the Pacific Community (SPC), Pacific Ministries of Health, local clinical teams, a range of specialist medical colleges and associations and, importantly, RACS specialist volunteers.

Since the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the COVID-19 outbreak a global pandemic in March 2020, RACS Global Health has pivoted most programming to remote clinical support.

Before the pandemic, RACS was deploying up to 70 visiting medical teams to 11 Pacific Island countries each year to provide clinical services, training and mentoring. During the current phase of PIP (2016–2021), RACS has supported 1709 vital surgeries, 1325 professional development opportunities, and 37 formal education and training activities.

While Australia has not yet established travel bubbles with Pacific countries, Aotearoa New Zealand has a quarantinefree travel bubble with the Cook Islands. We anticipate that Aotearoa New Zealand may establish similar arrangements with other Pacific Island countries. In anticipation of this opportunity, RACS would like to grow our cohort of Aotearoa New Zealand-based specialists, including surgeons, anaesthetists and nurses, so we can recommence the clinical support, training and mentoring that has been suspended, due to COVID-19.

We are seeking expressions of interest from Fellows and other specialists interested in participating in a visiting medical team with PIP. At this stage we are only asking for Aotearoa New Zealandbased specialists, as Australia has not yet opened its borders.

Our volunteers are invaluable. They continually tell us how much they gain from contributing to our global health programs. An anonymous PIP pro bono specialist said, “Being involved in PIP has enriched my life. The people I have met and the professional, personal knowledge and experiences I have gained on these trips have been more valuable than I can put into words.”

While on overseas deployment, all travel, accommodation, transport, pre-trip medical checks and meals are funded by RACS. We have also engaged International SOS, an organisation that provides health and security advice and support to our volunteers.

RACS Global Health specialist pro bono applicants must complete a two-stage interview selection process to assess clinical competency and suitability for overseas deployment. If selected, volunteers are asked to complete key compliance tasks, including undertaking a New Zealand Ministry of Justice Criminal Check and online training modules.

For further information on volunteering with RACS Global Health please refer to the RACS Global Health Deployment Guidebook. This resource provides comprehensive information about volunteering on a RACS Global Health program.

How to apply If you wish to apply to become a RACS Global Health specialist Aotearoa New Zealand volunteer, please email volunteer@surgeons.org and provide the following:

• Current CV

• Copy of qualifications

• Registration Certificate with the Medical Council of New Zealand

To find out more about RACS Global Health programs, please visit surgeons.org/about-racs/global-health