Triplets

Triplet babies with their aunt in AHC's ER.

The babies, Pib Srean, Pib Saran and Pib Sarith were quickly admitted to AHC to deal with their low birth weights and feeding problems. We are happy to report that all of the babies are doing well and are expected to return home soon.

Training and Education for Cambodian Doctors and Nurses


Left: Surgical nurses from Phnom Penh practicing in the ER.
Middle: Nurses in AHC assess for ILI and other infectious diseases.
Right: Dr. Phara with provincial hospital doctor.

This month, four surgical nurses from the National Pediatric Hospital (NPH) in Phnom Penh spent two weeks at AHC to study alongside our nursing staff. The goal of their study trip was to improve their knowledge and skills in caring for post-operative children. With funding from the Foundation for International Development/Relief (FIDR), another group of NPH nurses is scheduled to study at AHC again later this year.

Also this month, in collaboration with Medicens Sans Frontieres (MSF), a Cambodian doctor from the Siem Reap Provincial Hospital spent time working alongside AHC's ophthalmologist, Dr. Khauv Phara. The training was focused on retinal diseases in HIV/AIDS patients and the clinical practice of eye professionals.

AHC staff are also participating in an effort to improve child health care standards on a national level. At the request of the Ministry of Health, AHC's Dr. Pheaktra traveled to Phnom Penh to join the technical working group in reviewing and revising the national guidelines for the treatment of Dengue Fever.

Four AHC staff also traveled to Sihanoukville this month to attend a WHO sponsored workshop to review Influenza Like Illnesses (ILI) surveillance methods. ILI is one of several surveillance programs AHC working on in collaboration with the Cambodian Ministry of Health. With thousands of children arriving at AHC each month, we are in an ideal position to help the government track and record the rate of infectious diseases and look for possible outbreaks.

AHC Staff Travel for International Workshop


Dr. Kea (far left) and Dr. Heng (far right) in Singapore.

During the first week of March, two AHC senior medical staff, Dr. Sing Heng and Dr. Sreng Kea, traveled to Singapore to attend the St. Jude/Viva Forum in Pediatric Oncology. The meeting and workshop were provided to improve knowledge on pediatric hematological oncology and were organized by the Singapore National University Health System sponsored by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Viva Foundation for Children with Cancer and the National University Health System.

Volunteer Story


Left: Dr. Lyda (right) with volunteer radiologist Dr. Woolnough (left) from Canada.
Right: Dr. Sharon Su (USA) lectures senior doctors on pediatric nephrology.

Every year, AHC is fortunate to host volunteers from around the world who work alongside our Cambodian staff and build the capacity of our local doctors and nurses. Here is what one of them recently had to say:

"I was very fortunate to have the opportunity to spend time with Dr. Luy Lyda, Radiologist at AHC, for two weeks in January. The work day involved ultrasound examinations and interpreting plain X-rays, many of which showed fascinating pathology and conditions rarely, if ever, seen in North America. Ages of the patients ranged from newborns to teenagers and a number of the children were underweight and in an advanced stage of their illness; others had long-standing untreated or inadequately managed conditions.

However, the overriding and enduring impression for me was of the children and their mothers remaining brave and strong in the face of their serious illnesses. They were always cheerful and showed much gratitude for the loving care provided by all in the hospital. There were also opportunities to join clinical ward rounds and freedom to visit the various hospital departments to discuss current cases with other medical staff. The whole experience for me at AHC was rewarding and unforgettable and I hope to make a return visit."
-Dr. Michael Woolnough (Canada)

Congratulations to AHC Staff


AHC staff at the BBU graduation ceremony.

For many of the staff at AHC, work does not end when their shift at AHC finishes. Many of our staff attend university after their hospital working hours. This month, 17 AHC staff graduated from Build Bright University (BBU) with Bachelor Degrees. Congratulations to Tep Navy, Seng Phearom, Duong Vibol, Keo Seyla, Dim Sophearin, Ho Oma, Maourn Sokhom, Som Chamroeun, Im Oum, Sun Sopheary, Visal Maray, Peng Khun, Chang Peaktra, Nheak Samneang Reachsey, Khong Rany, Sun Sopeak, Dim Sopearom and Phoeurk Amra (CBHEP).

Cambodian Culture

In Cambodia there are many ceremonies to celebrate different aspects of life. One such ceremony, usually celebrated before the Khmer New Year in April, is held to pay respect to ancestors and to wish them heavenward (Sok ka te Poup). In this ceremony, the family gets together to go to a pagoda where they pray for their ancestors and receive the blessings of the monks.