NEW CANAAN, Conn., April 30, 2001 (PRIMEZONE) -- AmeriCares, the international disaster relief and humanitarian aid organization, has announced the return of its eight-person medical team from Kosovo.
AmeriCares, in partnership with doctors from Harvard University's Massachusetts General Hospital, have completed a five-day medical mission in which they helped revamp orthopedic surgery in Kosovo.
AmeriCares donated state-of-the-art surgical equipment for the Orthopedic Surgery Department at Pristina Hospital, provided comprehensive training and performed surgeries, all within a step-by-step lecture setting. In all, the AmeriCares medical team completed nine surgeries on individuals ranging in age from 7 to 62. One of the many highlights included the country's first ever hip replacement surgery.
The entire lecture and training series ran five days, from April 23 to April 27. Kosovo's Minister of Health had ALL orthopedic surgeons in the country travel to Pristina to participate.
In an effort to create more efficient hospitals, AmeriCares' medical team focused on using up-to-date techniques with state-of-the-art equipment for the most prevalent orthopedic surgical cases in Kosovo. Currently, the recovery period for typical orthopedic surgery is three weeks, but with these new advancements, this amount of time could be cut to two or three days.
AmeriCares' medical team now available for interviews: Dr. David Lhowe, Chief of Orthopedic Surgery at Harvard University's Massachusetts General Hospital, as well as, Dr. Joseph Skowron; fellow colleagues from Mass. General and AmeriCares employees Stephen Skakel and Andrew Heyduk. To arrange for an interview, please contact Elizabeth Griffin at 1.800.486.HELP.
AmeriCares is the nonprofit disaster relief and humanitarian aid organization, which provides immediate response to emergency medical needs -- and supports long-term healthcare programs -- for people around the world, irrespective of race, creed or political persuasion. Since its inception in 1982, AmeriCares has delivered more than $2.9 billion in aid to 137 nations worldwide. Please help us to continue our relief efforts by sending your cash donations to AmeriCares, 161 Cherry Street, New Canaan, CT 06840 or by calling AmeriCares at 1.800.486.HELP or logging onto www.americares.org.
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CONTACT: AmeriCares, New Canaan
Elizabeth Griffin
800-486-HELP