Source: WAZ Hattingen
Doctor Helps Burns and Acid Attack Victims in India
At a Glance
- 🌏Humanitarian mission in Bangalore, India
- 🔥Aid for burns and acid attack victims
- ⏱️42 operations in 7 days
- 🤝Supported by INTERPLAST Germany
- ❤️Doctors use their own annual leave
WAZ Hattingen, 24 March 2023
After three years of Covid, the time has finally come again this year – Dr. Karl Schuhmann travelled with a medical team from Germany and Switzerland to Bangalore to help burns victims and acid attack victims.
Mission in Numbers
Operations performed
Days on mission
Commitment to People in Need
Doctors donate their annual leave
The doctors used their own annual leave days to help in India. The medical team from Germany and Switzerland performed 42 operations in just 7 days – an extraordinary commitment to people in urgent need.
The mission was supported by the Friends Welfare Organisation and INTERPLAST Germany, which is dedicated to providing medical care in developing countries.
Initiative from Hattingen
This valuable initiative originated from the Evangelisches Krankenhaus Hattingen (part of the Augusta Kliniken Bochum Hattingen). The hospital has a long tradition of supporting humanitarian medical missions worldwide.
Supporting Organisations
INTERPLAST Germany
Non-profit organisation for reconstructive surgery in developing countries
Friends Welfare Organisation
Local partner organisation in Bangalore for humanitarian aid projects
Support the Mission
INTERPLAST Germany relies on donations to continue helping people in need. Your donation enables life-changing operations for burns and acid attack victims.
Donation Account
Recipient: Interplast e.V.
Bank: Kreissparkasse Reutlingen
IBAN: DE81 6405 0000 1019 1370 97
Frequently Asked Questions
What is INTERPLAST Germany?
INTERPLAST Germany e.V. is a non-profit organisation that has been providing plastic-surgical and reconstructive aid in developing countries since 1980. German doctors from various specialities perform operations on a voluntary basis to help people who have no access to such treatments. The focus is on burns victims, congenital malformations, and injuries sustained in accidents.
Why are such missions important in India?
In India, many people have suffered severe injuries and disfigurements through burns or acid attacks but cannot afford medical treatment. Women in particular are frequently victims of acid attacks. These missions offer those affected free, life-changing operations that drastically improve their quality of life and give them a chance at social reintegration.
How can I support such humanitarian projects?
You can support INTERPLAST Germany through donations. Every donation helps to fund operations, medical supplies, and travel costs for the volunteer doctors. You can also raise awareness of the work, or apply as a doctor to take part in a mission. INTERPLAST is officially recognised as a charitable organisation, so donations are tax-deductible.
What types of operations are performed?
The doctors primarily perform reconstructive procedures: skin grafts for burns, scar revision, reconstruction of facial features after acid attacks, correction of congenital malformations (e.g. cleft lip and palate), and function-restoring operations on hands and extremities. The aim is always to restore functionality and improve quality of life.
How does a typical INTERPLAST mission work?
A team of 6–10 doctors (surgeons, anaesthetists, theatre nurses) travels to a partner country for 1–2 weeks. On site, they work together with local clinics. Patients are selected and prepared in advance by local partners. During intensive working days, 40–60 operations are often performed. After the mission, follow-up care is provided by local partners. In addition, local doctors are frequently trained.
What role does the Evangelisches Krankenhaus Hattingen play?
The Evangelisches Krankenhaus Hattingen (now part of the Augusta Kliniken Bochum Hattingen) has a long tradition of supporting humanitarian missions. Dr. Karl Schuhmann worked there before opening his practice in Düsseldorf. The hospital promotes such missions by enabling doctors to participate in humanitarian deployments and apply their expertise for people in need.
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Über den Autor
Facharzt für Plastische und Ästhetische Chirurgie & Handchirurg
Mit mehr als 30.000 Eingriffen und mehrjähriger Tätigkeit als Chefarzt führt Dr. Schuhmann seit 2016 als Gründer von artethic® seine Praxen in Düsseldorf und Berlin.