Due to the contributions from 20 Rotary Clubs within the 9455 district in the last Rotary Year D9455 were able to fund an Interplast program to Cagayan de Oro in the Philippines, which was undertaken in September 2016. 
Interplast’s programs to the Philippines are focused on surgical service delivery. With the majority of the patients seeing the Interplast team for repair of their cleft lip and palates and burn contracture releases. This year, the team was led by Interplast Philippines Country Coordinator and surgeon, Kevin Ho. The team included another surgeon, 3 anaesthetists, 2 nurses, an Interplast programs staff member and a medical observer. The team consulted 53 people and operated on 40 patients with 57 procedures performed. Important training was also undertaken.
Rockson, a young boy from a remote part of Solomon Islands, had his first operation which repaired a severe cleft lip and reconstructed his nose with a bone graft from his ribs. On a follow up trip Interplast Surgeons performed the next stage of surgery to repair Rockson’s cleft palate.
The program was a great success. Our district 9455 has set a target of raising sufficient funds with support of clubs within the district for one medical team to Asia/Pacific each Rotary year. D9455 clubs have been able to fund a programme in each of the last four Rotary Years.