In October, 52 volunteers from around the world donated their
time at AHC - 28 from the USA, 20 from Australia, 2 from England and 1 each
from Singapore and Thailand.
Volunteers are accepted by AHC to work alongside our Cambodian staff, sharing
their knowledge and experience with the overall goal of strengthening local
capacity.
Nowhere did volunteers play a more significant role this month than in AHC’s
Operating Room in October. There were 106 major surgeriesperformed at AHC
in October and many of these were performed by our AHC surgical team working
together with visiting volunteer specialists.
One lucky patient was 7-month old Rouen Piseth. His family arrived from Battambang
Province, more than an hour away from Siem Reap. Piseth was one of the many
Cambodian children fortunate enough to receive free surgery at AHC this month.
Training
of Laotian Doctors
Left: AHC's Dr. Luy Lyda discusses an X-ray with other
doctors.
Right:
Dr. Varun provides teaching to Lao doctors
The second Lao Doctor pediatric critical
care (ICU) training course was held in October. The fist course was held this
past June and due to the excellent positive feedback fro the Lao Ministry
of Health, AHC is continuing the course for 2 more Lao doctors. This is a
4-week course during which time the two Lao doctors spend the majority of
time doing clinical-based training in assessing and taking care of AHC ICU
patients under the supervision of the Cambodian staff but also get classroom
time with lectures on various critical care topics. The current Loa trainees
are the Chief of PICU at Setthathirath Hospital and one of the PICU senior
doctors at Mahosot Hospital (largest teaching hospital in Laos).
This course also helps to strengthen AHC’s reputation as a center of excellence
in pediatric training and helps to expand AHC’s reputation beyond national
borders. Due in part to the word of mouth generated by this ICU course, WHO
has recently approached AHC to continue the ICU course for Lao doctors next
year.
With more than 300 children and their families admitted and
discharged to and from the hospital each month, keeping the place clean and
having enough fresh bed sheets and towels is always a challenge for our housekeeping
staff. This month with the generosity of the Rotary Club (Germany) and Mr.
Hans Wolf, this taks was made considerably easier. With their support AHC
was able to purchase two industrial sized washing machines!
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Community
Care
One of the families visited by our Home Care team
in October
Two hundred and sixty two community visits were made by AHC’s Home Care team
in October. Approximately 70% of the 194 children followed up on these visits
have been diagnosed with HIV/AIDS. The remaining 30% of the children are diagnosed
with other chronic illnesses, such as malnutrition and post-meningitis complications.
During the visits to the homes our nurses provide a physical exam to evaluate
overall health, and assess the families social situation as it relates to
their ability to get care and stay healthy. They also educate patients and
caregivers on the importance of maintaining proper nutrition and medication
schedules. For the poorest of the families visited, a small package of food
is also provided to aid in supplementing their diet.
The Abbott Company has been partnering with AHC for several
years, and this month we were very pleased to have several Abbott representatives
visit to view first hand the hospital nutrition activities they have been
supporting such as our food distribution to poor families in the hospital
and community, the daily cooking classes and our demonstration garden.
Two Siem Reap “Pub Street” bars combined forces one Saturday
night in October to raise funds for AHC - the new late-night cocktail bar,
Miss Wong, and neighbouring Silk Garden Restaurant. On the first Saturday
of the past three months, the Silk Garden has provided a barbecue, with a
percentage of the takings going to the hospital, and this month the Miss Wong
Bar got in on the act.
Hospital board member Dr Eugene Tragus, who, unbeknownst to most Siem Reap
locals, is an expert in the art of mixing caipirinha (the national drink of
Brazil), joined in to add to the fun. Dr. Gene entertained guests with his
stories of making cocktails in a beachside South American bar during his summer
holidays when he was a student. During the two-hour fundraiser session, customers
and the bar staff of Miss Wong received expert training in the art of making
caipirinha, and they raised over $170 for the hospital.
