INTERPLAST Australia and New Zealand medical team held a special meeting with staff from the Ministry of Health and Colonial War Memorial Hospital yesterday to commemorate the team's 100th visit to Fiji.

The Interplast has carried out 7634 consultations and 4234 life changing operations in Fiji since it started coming to our shores.

Interplast Australia and New Zealand general manager Marion Wright said for this visit, they planned to operate on 60-70 cleft lips, cleft palates, burns scar contractures, hand injuries and tumours.

"All operations are free of charge and allow the patient to live their life free from disability," she said.

"Medical teams from Australia will volunteer their time and expertise to provide free surgery to local patients who would otherwise not receive the treatment they require due to poverty or isolation.

"For our program, we have budgeted a figure of $40,000 that provides treatment to about 60-70 patients.

"The cost for one patient would be about $500-$600. If that was to be costed in Australian terms, you'd be looking at around $10,000. For the team, they get far more out of it then they actually give."

Ms Wright said the program was funded by Melbourne-based Rotary District 9800.

She said all Interplast volunteers were fully qualified in their field of expertise.

"While our teams are here, it is always important they work with local doctors and nurses," she said. "They use the opportunity to help train and pass on their knowledge in whatever area of expertise.