Since 2011, Sunshine has been partnering with Asociación Pro-Niños Quemados De Nicaragua (APROQUEN) to organize training programs for burn rehabilitation professionals in Central and South America. Held in Nicaragua and Taiwan over a one-week period, these trainings address specific burn rehabilitation topics in a comprehensive and in-depth manner, with a strong emphasis on establishing sound theoretical knowledge base and strong technical abilities, as well as developing critical clinical reasoning skills.
Pressure garment fabrication
Project period: From 2011 to 2014
Countries involved: Nicaragua, Guatemala, Honduras, Dominican Republic and Panama
The use of pressure garments is crucial to the rehabilitation process, in order to prevent contractures and scar hypertrophy. However, most Central America organizations lack the techniques to produce garments whose fit can achieve optimal scar control. That is why between 2011 and 2014, Sunshine shared its advanced techniques in pressure garment production during an annual one-week regional training program. During the trainings, senior therapists of SSWF shared with seamstresses and burn therapists from Nicaragua, Panama, Honduras, Dominican Republic and Guatemala specialized production techniques for pressure mask, glove, socks, pants, woman's vest and man's vest developed in Taiwan. For many of the participants, this was the first formal, structured pressure garment training they received. This training gave participants the skills to start producing precise, effective and better fitting garments in their respective countries.
Rehabilitation management of the burned hand
Project period: From 2016 to 2018
Countries involved: Nicaragua, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Panama, Colombia, Peru and Mexico
Hand burns are a leading cause of injury in children in Latin America. Whether it is a scald or a contact burn, the injury requires special attention in order to preserve and restore full hand function. The second regional training program focused specifically on the rehabilitation management of the burned hand. Between 2016 and 2018, during courses in Nicaragua and Taiwan, Sunshine’s senior therapists used a combination of theoretical lectures, case study presentations, demonstration with patients and practice to help therapists from Latin America learn about common problems and complications of the burned hand – their causes, as well as preventive and corrective methods; principles for the evaluation of the burned hand and development of a therapeutic intervention; as well as fabrication and application of splints. This training helped therapists acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to provide the best care possible.
