SANDRA GOLDSTRAW on ROMAC

ROMAC provides specialist treatment to children from developing countries where that help is not available in their home country. Canberra has had over 28 children since it started in 2007. Sandra will explain how ROMAC works and tell of the experiences and stories of these children who have undergone medical procedures in Canberra.


ROMAC 

What is ROMAC?  Rotary Oceanic Medical Aid for children is a program of Rotary that provides specialist treatment for children from developing countries in the form of life saving and dignity restoring surgery, not accessible to them in their home country.

1988: ROMAC commenced by an Australian Rotarian who, with a group of surgeons, visited Lambasa in Fiji. They found the child mortality rate as high as 25% in some places. The lack of skills and medical and surgical facilities for children of the island nations in Oceania, was a major cause. 

ROMAC established five regions representing clubs in the west, east, south, north and centre of the country.

2004: New Zealand region was formally established and continues to treat the majority of heart cases at the Starship Children’s Hospital in Auckland.

2007: ACT region was established with the majority of the children at the Canberra Women & Children’s Hospital. 

2010: Memorandum of Understanding was established and renewed regularly between ROMAC and the ACT Government where up to 4 children can be treated each year with minimal cost to ROMAC. 

Calvary Private hospital has supported 3 of our ROMAC children.

 Today ROMAC is providing surgical treatment to around 30 - 35 children from Oceania every year – we are making a huge difference in the lives of the children, their families and to Rotary’s international goodwill.

 

SANDRA GOLDSTRAW

Sandra worked as a Registered nurse and Midwife for over 45 years before she retired. This included various areas of nursing from the operating theatre, surgical and medical wards as well as the labour ward and postnatal care of mothers and babies. Sandra is the Canberra Regional ROMAC Chair for 2022-25 and the District 9705 ROMAC Chair from 2007-2024.


CONTACT:              Sandra.       0438 426680

LOCATION:          Ginninderra




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