Delivering Children from Pain: Pediatric Urology in Bolivia

Physicians for Peace will provide training, education and care from Dec. 3 to Dec. 11

NORFOLK, VA (11/15/2011)(readMedia)-- Physicians for Peace (PFP) will be in Santa Cruz, Bolivia, this December to ensure that young patients who suffer from painful reproductive and urinary system disorders receive better, safer surgical care. Led by pediatric urologists Anthony Caldamone, MD, of Brown University's Alpert Medical School and David Diamond, MD, of Children's Hospital Boston, PFP will serve alongside Bolivian medical teams, providing education, training and direct surgical care.

"Bolivia is the poorest country in South America with no formal training programs in pediatric urology," said Dr. Diamond, a longtime PFP volunteer. "The Bolivian physicians are deeply appreciative of our teaching and the patients are wonderful. We anticipate an exciting and productive mission."

Pediatric urologists Hiep Nguyen, MD, of Children's Hospital Boston, and Pedro-Jose Lopez, MD, of Exequiel González Cortés Hospital in Santiago, Chile, will join Caldamone and Diamond on the mission.

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 2 billion people in the world currently lack access to basic surgery; most of them live in developing nations. Left untreated, children with genitourinary diseases, malformations and birth defects face a lifetime of physical and emotional pain. With proper interventions from trained experts, however, young patients can recover and thrive.

PFP has a strong history of supporting surgeons and healthcare teams in Bolivia. In 2005, PFP participated in the country's first Congress of Pediatric Urology. Since then, PFP has deployed follow-up missions to elevate the skills of in-country teams, introduce new techniques and provide material support. The December mission builds directly upon those efforts.

For information on PFP or to schedule an interview with team members, please contact Physicians for Peace.

ABOUT PHYSICIANS FOR PEACE

Physicians for Peace transforms lives by training, supporting and empowering healthcare professionals working with the world's underserved populations. Since 1989, volunteers have conducted medical missions in more than 60 countries. Find us online at www.physiciansforpeace.org and www.facebook.com/physiciansforpeace. Follow us on Twitter, Physician4Peace.