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Medical Education

The Khmer Rouge Regime devastated every aspect of Cambodian society including its medical and educational infrastructure. Among the estimated 2 million people killed during the regime were significant numbers of medical and educational professionals. Many who survived, did so by fleeing the country, never to return. After 30 years of civil war, regional conflict and foreign occupation, the Cambodian medical education system lacks a strong curriculum, qualified teachers and sufficient resources.

AHC exists to not only treat the children of Siem Reap, but to raise healthcare standards in the entire country. AHC provides specialized pediatric training to Cambodian healthcare workers and is establishing a standard of medical and ethical conduct throughout the region. Cambodian staff members of AHC receive intensive medical and administrative training, to guarantee independent operation in the future.

With the addition of a Medical Education Coordinator to our staff in 2000, and the completion of the Medical Education Center in 2004, an expansion of our training program, curriculum and capabilities has followed. AHC now educates not only its own staff members but provides educational programs to local and regional health professionals. Our educational staff is comprised by an international team of high quality pediatricians, surgeons, specialists and scientists who conduct a number of vital high-quality training programs. These programs include:

The Pediatric Residency Program is a two-year program based on a modular systems-based curriculum. Modules focus on particular aspects of pediatric medicine and are followed by examination. All training is conducted in English and includes lectures, practical clinical sessions and case presentations.

The Government Doctors Training Program is a series of short-term training programs for Cambodian Ministry of Health doctors from regional hospitals. The aim of these training programs is to promote better pediatric care at the district level. The programs consist of Khmer-language lectures, one-to-one clinical training sessions, practical sessions in emergency pediatrics and lesson-planning sessions for implementation of pediatric training upon return to home-hospital.

The Nurse Training Program, now led by Cambodian nurses, is a mandatory program for all new nursing staff at AHC. Newly employed nurses go through a two-week series of classroom lectures followed by a three-month orientation/mentoring program before they begin to practice independently. In addition, all AHC nurses continue their education by attending and leading classes throughout their employment.

Administrative Training is also an important part of AHC’s philosophy. To ensure successful long-term management of the hospital, well trained administration is essential. Long Sedtha, who trained both in Cambodia and at Miller Children’s Hospital in California is now AHC’s Administrative Director. He provides administrative and leadership training to those in middle-management positions throughout the hospital and CBHEP.

Scholarships and Individual Learning Opportunities are often offered to AHC staff members because of their high skill level and dedication to pediatric medicine.
During the past year Dr. Seitaboth, an AHC doctor and training pediatric HIV specialist received the Fogarty AIDS Training and Research Grant at Brown University. Following a successful presentation at the end of his scholarship period, Dr. Seitaboth was granted further funding to carry out a two-year study at AHC on the relationship between malnutrition and HIV.
Dr. Neou Leakhena and Dr. Luy Lyda of AHC have received clinical fellowships to study at the National University Hospital of Singapore in 2004.
Dr. Nhoun Chanpheaktra, senior AHC pediatrican won a opportunity to study and receive a diploma in Tropical Medicine and Hygiene at Mahidol University, which began in April 2004.

Additional educational activities are ongoing at AHC. In the past year these have included research studies,specialist workshops, the development and expansion of our HIV, cardiology, TB, and radiology capacities, the development of a childhood blindness prevention program in conjunction with SEVA, and attendance and presentation at numerous national and international conferences.

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