Canadian Network of International Surgery's efforts to send surgeons to poverty-stricken countries has been supported by an $8,000 donation from Rotary Club of White Rock.
CNIS surgeons travel to Africa and South America to train local doctors, nurses, medics and midwives in care such as trauma and injury treatment, basic surgery and obstetrics.
The funding was made possible by Milton Carrasco, CEO of a transportation software company who donated $10,000 to the rotary club with the request that the vast majority of it be used for projects in East Africa.
CNIS has been working in Uganda for 14 years, and, in addition to ongoing courses in surgical and obstetrical skills, has built a surgical skills teaching lab and helped establish Africa's first Injury Control Centre. The organization is also teaching peace building for elementary schools in 60 school districts in and around surrounding Gulu, Uganda.
The remaining funds from Carrasco's contribution will be used for the Rotary club's world service projects.
