One of HVO’s core values is to work in partnership with other organizations, host governments and institutions, and local health care professionals in a spirit of mutual respect and cooperation. Many times, HVO volunteers embrace this value to improve patient care and create new avenues of collaboration at our project sites.
Following a month-long assignment in Bhutan, a frequent volunteer with HVO’s orthopaedics program reported:
With multiple HVO projects now in Bhutan, there is a new set of interactions for volunteers – between each other and, more importantly, between various hospital departments.
In March, a young patient with a possible osteosarcoma was transferred to the orthopaedics department in Thimphu from Mongar. There was much discussion and consternation about making a diagnosis and initiating treatment verses transferring the patient to India – until we were reminded that HVO had an oncologist and nurse oncologist there for the month [working with the oncology staff at the National Referral Hospital]. This collaboration proved most effective in establishing a treatment regime combining surgery and chemotherapy, and created a follow-up plan.
In addition, the patient’s family was separated with some in eastern Bhutan (at home) and some with her in Thimphu. She needed a lower extremity amputation – a difficult decision for any young person. The HVO mental health volunteer provided the support needed to both the family and patient, and also established a long term follow-up program with that department.
That’s what HVO is all about.
In the spirit of cooperation, the orthopaedic, oncologic and mental health departments at the National Referral Hospital – with input and guidance from HVO volunteers – created the best possible outcome for the patient with an essential follow-up plan. This is just one example of many in which HVO volunteers help foster cooperation and collaboration to improve global health.