Notre Dame Medical Students launch 'Vision Vietnam'
Document Type
Media Release
Publication Date
Spring 25-9-2006
Publisher Name
The University of Notre Dame Australia, Fremantle
Publication Place
Fremantle
Abstract
A group of medical students from The University of Notre Dame Australia’s, Fremantle Campus are travelling to Vietnam in December to work as volunteers in HIV and AIDS clinics.
The outreach endeavour ‘Vision Vietnam’ is an initiative by the students and strongly supported by the Western Australian Catholic Doctors’ Association.
Medical student, Marc Dantoc said HIV/AIDS patients in Vietnam receive minimal health care from the government and are often marginalised by society.
“The free clinics offer what little medical care they can give to the patients,” said Marc.
The students are hoping to raise money for the free clinics in Ho Chin Min City. They will also provide practical assistance to the clinics by teaching language skills and health education and delivering urgently needed medical supplies and equipment.
Another objective of the trip is to establish an ongoing relationship between Notre Dame medical students and the free clinics in Vietnam. The vision is to be able to send students on an annual basis to support the work being done by doctors and health professionals at the clinics.
One of the recent fund raising projects for the group was to set up a stall at Our Lady of the Mission Parish in Whitford as part of their International Food Festival and Fete.
“We set up a hair colouring and fake tattoo stall which turned out to be a big hit with the kids. The fete was a hugely successful event and as a result of our stall, between 50 and 60 kids ran loose with coloured hair and fake tattoos,” said Marc.
All proceeds raised at the stall will be used to purchase the much needed medical supplies for the free HIV/AIDS clinics.
The students are looking for donations. If you would like more information on the trip, please contact Mark Dantoc on 0434 966 469.
Recommended Citation
Saunders, Moira, "Notre Dame Medical Students launch 'Vision Vietnam'" (2006). Media Release Archive. 621.
https://researchonline.nd.edu.au/media_release/621