Latest Happenings From Spring 2008
March:
Story Continued
Ninety-three year-old Ume lives in Japan.
Ume had a dream when she was young. She wanted to become a doctor.
This dream started when she experienced the Big War (World War 2).
At that time, many people were very poor. There was no food, no medicine, and no peace...nothing.
She saw many people dying because of lack of food, and lack of money for medicine.
So she dreamed of becoming a doctor and treat and cure sick people, for free.
However, she had to work to make a living for her family. And she worked very hard.
She never had the chance to go to medical school. She never had the chance to become a doctor.
When Ume learned about the Sihanouk Hospital Center of HOPE and how the hospital is treating the poor people for free, she decided to raise some money for the hospital.
She made knitted goods (hats or socks) and sold them at a local fundraising event, Hope Bazaar for Cambodia Hospital.
Unfortunately, a few years ago, she fell down and broken her arm, She cannot move her left hand anymore.
However, she did not give up. She tried to move her finger again to continue with knitting.
She is still making knitted goods to raise money for the hospital.
She is doing her best to help the needy, even when she is very old, even from so far away.
Thank you, Ume, for your life and your heart for the poor patients of Cambodia.
March happenings:
- On March 11, the Medical Department graduated two new fresh grads from its Internal Medicine training program. Dr. Lou Lay and Dr. Men Sam Oul both went through the necessary modules and passed their written and practical exams. Congratulations to both for a job well done! Eleven other doctors also received certificates for completing different modules. Congratulations to all!
- In March, SHCH’s Surgical Department underwent some minor renovations. The OR received a fresh coat of paint. The Surgical Ward had new fans and new electrical sockets installed. This was the first time in 11 years that the OR had a facelift. Moreover, the Medical Wards was also painted.
- On March 17, the second of the two Pfizer Global Health Fellow arrived at SHCH. Maria Rosario is a pharmacist and came to us from Portugal. She will be working with and training staff in the Dispensing Pharmacy Department. Maria will be at SHCH for 6 months.
- February:
- The first of the two Pfizer Global Health Fellows arrived at our hospital in early February. Els Staes comes from Belgium and is working with our laboratory manager on improving the efficiency of our laboratory work. Els will be staying for four months. She is supported by a grant from Pfizer Pharmaceutical while contributing her expertise to our hospital.
- From February 11 – 14, we hosted a visit from two of the staff, Shelly Malhotra and Dr. Frank Bia, from AmeriCares. AmeriCares is one of the hospital’s biggest partners; sourcing and sending us much needed medicine and supplies. They are both very impressed by the quality of the way our warehouse staff, the heads of the Warehouse and Pharmacy Departments handled the donated goods. Here are some of their comments:
“I am always so impressed and inspired by the great work that you all do. I am also thrilled that we have been able to contribute to that work and look forward to pursuing new opportunities for enhancing AmeriCares' support in the future.”
Shelly Malhotra, Project Manager
“I am more than impressed by all you are accomplishing in the busy environs of Phnom Penh and beyond.”
Dr. Frank Bia, Medical Director
- On February 15, SHCH was one of the thirty vendors who participated in the US Embassy Health Fair. The Health Fair was open to all the US Embassy staff and their families. The purpose was to let their staff know what healthcare providers are available in Phnom Penh. A few of the clinical staff were on hand to give free blood pressure and blood sugar checks and educated many women about breast cancer. Staff from the Public Relations Department talked with many people about the new HOPE clinic.
January:
- From January 14 – 18, the hospital hosted 7 oncology specialists (3 pathologists, 2 oncologists, 1 gynecologist, and 1 oncology nurse) from Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York and Stanford Medical Center in California. They held a week-long oncology workshop for our doctors and doctors from other hospitals in Phnom Penh. The specialists were very impressed by the work of the hospital and the quality of our staff. They also expressed that they learned so much themselves through the discussions with us. We are excited that the hospital is continuing to bring in the latest knowledge in cancer detection and treatment.
From January 27 – 29, three doctors from the Tan Toc Seng Hospital in Singapore held an “Update on Resuscitation Course” for our staff. Twelve of our doctors from the Medical Department and six nurses attended the workshop. This refresher course enabled our staff to be recertified in Basic Cardiac Life Support and Advanced Cardiac Life Support and allows them to train others.
- On January 15, the hospital received a visit from Ed Bachrach, Kathryn Lucatelli of Build Cambodia. Build Cambodia is a non-profit organization based in Chicago. They focus on helping organization such as ours that are working in Cambodia. In September 2007, they held a fundraising dinner to help our hospital. We are very grateful for their commitment to help the people of Cambodia.