Project

After careful consideration, it was concluded that, to start this program, it was essential to begin with the involvement of the surgeons who actually create the ostomy.

It is therefore essential to change the current mentality of the surgeons who consider the operation ended with the discharge of the patient.  It is necessary  to make them understand that the ostomate may be considered cured only when he has recovered his mental and physical balance and is fully reintegrated in his family, in his social and his working contexts.

Once these concepts have been acquired, it becomes easier to train nurses specialized in “stoma care” (Enterostomal Therapist – E.T. ) and able to organize, together with  surgeons, rehabilitation centers in various hospitals.

Essentially the roads travelled to achieve this service  are two:

• Selected Doctors from chosen countries in need were trained in Modena and on their return  to their country were supported and followed so that they could develop the “stoma care” in their own reality.  As of the end of 2007, this strategy was adopted in the following countries: Argentina, Bangladesh, Bolivia, El Salvador, the Philippines, India, Indonesia, Iran, Laos, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Paraguay, Romania, Sri Lanka, Vietnam.
  Also, an International Traveling Teaching Team (ITTT) was founded. The ITTT goes abroad to the various countries in need to teach the “stoma care”  to doctors and nurses locally
  
  ITTT  COMPONENTS:
  • AFSHIN HEYDARY ( Italy )
  • AUGUSTINE IROTULAM ( Nigeria )
  • CARLO PEZCOLLER ( Italy )
  • DIELWEN BRACKEN ( Canada )
  • ELSA BEATRIZ REYNOSO ( Argentina )
  • ENRICO MEROLLA ( Italy )
  • FERNANDO JOSE’ SORIA ( Argentina )
  • GEETHANI RATHNAYAKA ( Sri Lanka )
  • HARIKESH BUCH ( India )
  • HUGO HEREDIA ( Bolivia )
  • JORGE MEDINA GUTIERREZ ( Paraguay )
  • JOSE  VICTOR  RODRIGUEZ  MENDOZA ( El Salvador )
  • KEMAL DEEN ( Sri  Lanka )
  • LOUISE FOREST LALANDE ( Canada )
  • MANUEL FRANCISCO ROXAS ( Philippines )
  • MARTA AZUAGA ( Paraguay )
  • MICAELA PICCOLI ( Italy )
  • RAVATHY RAMAMURTHY ( Malaysia )
  • RHYAN HITALLA ( Philippines )
  • RICARDO FRETES ( Paraguay )
  • SILVIA EBALGINELLI ( Italy )

  
  

• Doctors trained in Modena, in collaboration with ITTT, have in turn organized courses upon their return to their respective countries in: Argentina, Bolivia, El Salvador, the Philippines, India, Indonesia, Iran, Mongolia, Paraguay, Sri Lanka, Vietnam.In some areas, such as China, Guatemala, Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, the ITTT arranged training courses directly in these countries in collaboration with several local doctors previously selected.For the realization of the LFSC Project, the collaboration of  the following organizations is essential
  • E.O.A. (European Ostomy Association )
  • I.O.A. (International Ostomy Association)
  • A.S.P.O.A. (Asia South Pacific Ostomy Association )
  • A.L.A.D.O.(Asociaciòn Latino-Americana De Ostomizados )
  • F.A.I.S. ( Federazione Associazioni Incontinenti Stomizzati )
  • E.C.E.T ( European Council of Enterostomal Therapists )
  • APETNA ( Asia-Pacific Enterostomal Therapy Nurses Association )
  • W.C.E.T. ( World Council of Enterostomal Therapists )
  • FOW-USA ( Friends of Ostomates World Wide )
  • A.S.S.R. ( Asian Society of Stoma Rehabilitation )
  • AIOSS (Associazione Italiana Operatori Sanitari di Stomaterapia )
  • Local  Health Authority

OBJECTIVES OF THE HUMANITARIAN “LFSC” PROJECT

• Inform Lions around the world that there is this “silent suffering” which can be alleviated thanks to our project.
• Involve the Lions to support and strengthen the LFSC  service
• Raise awareness among surgeons and nurses in countries where there is no support for the ostomates  to get them interested in this serious handicap.
• Train in “stoma care” selected doctors and nurses from Nations who are in need
• Promote training courses for nurses in order to create a nurse specialized in “stoma care” called an Enterostomal Therapist (ET)
• Provide training to empower individual healthcare organizations, so that they are able to organize and manage local services dedicated to ostomates
• Encourage the creation of associations or groups of stoma patients able to highlight their problems and  present their specific requests to the competent authorities
• Inform the associations of ostomates that there are international associations of ostomates with which they can become associated to achieve an international network of solidarity
• Create centers of rehabilitation in the various hospitals, with the participation of doctors and ET; the centers represent an important point of reference for each ostomate
• Involve the press and the media in talking about this serious handicap
• Solicit health authorities of  different countries  to encourage the training of doctors and nurses dedicated to the  “stoma care “ through schools and specific courses in the local language.
• Raise awareness among various governments to address the problem and to help the ostomates economically to buy the  bags, which are essential to improving their quality of life
• Stimulate the manufacturers of  pouches  to invest in these countries in need by working with hospitals and rehabilitation centers

There is still much to do to ease the pain of those who suffer in resigned silence!

We hope that the enthusiasm and passion that involve us in this important humanitarian project will inspire the sensitivity of the Lions and of many other people of “good will” across our Planet Earth.