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Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Summary
Cambodia ranks among the most disadvantaged in the world according to the United Nation's Human Development Index (based on health, education, and income). Established in 2000, Mercy Medical Center (MMC) is committed to quality, cost-effective care that meets or exceeds WHO and Cambodian Health's. MMC employs a comprehensive approach to preventive, curative, individual and community-wide interventions.
The leaders of MMC supervise with both Cambodian and international healthcare students in the nuances of creating sustainable health improvements. To this end, appropriate curricula has been developed for doctors, nurses, nurse assistants, and others, specifically suited to the needs of Cambodia. MMC regularly receives medical students, resident physicians, and students of other healthcare professions from Australia, Singapore, and the USA.
Location & CommunityResting in Southeastern Asia, Cambodia houses around 14 million people. Listed among the poorest countries in the world, Cambodia continues to face the challenges of devastating poverty, compounded by 30 years of war & instability. Cambodia wrested independence from France in 1953. Beginning in April 1975, the bloody reign of the Communist Khmer Rouge, led by Saloth Sar (Pol Pot), decimated the country. Some two million Cambodians died in the genocide. Cambodia has enjoyed peace since 1991 as a constitutional monarchy. Around eighty-five percent of Cambodians live in rural areas and make a living as rice-farmers. The majority are ethnically Khmer, with Chinese, Vietnamese, Cham, and Hill-Tribes comprising the remainder. Ninty-five percent of Cambodians are Folk Buddhists in their religious beliefs.
Phnom Penh, the capital city of Cambodia, hosts a population of one million and sits on the confluence of three mighty rivers. The city continues to be graced by French colonial architecture, yet is undergoing rapid development, with slums and new office buildings emerging side-by-side. Most urban dwellers earn a living as day laborers, in vending, construction, or fishing. Phnom Penh experiences two distinct seasons: The rainy season, which runs from May to October, can see temperatures rise up to 40 °C (104 °F) around April and is generally accompanied with high humidity. The dry season lasts from November to April when temperatures can drop to 22 °C (72 °F). November to January offer the coolest and least time of year.
TransportationVisitors fly into Phnom Penh International Airport where a representative of Mercy Medical Center will met them.
Visa RequirementFor current information, please visit the Cambodian Embassy website appropriate for your country. The website for the Embassy of Cambodia in Washington, DC, is http://www.embassyofcambodia.org.
United States citizens can receive a Tourist visa on arrival in Cambodia, which is valid for one month and can be extended.
Traveler's Health & SafetyPlease consult with your physician before traveling and refer to the CDC travel website for the most up-to-date health information: http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/default.aspx. Malaria prophylaxis is not required. Dengue fever is common, and mosquito repellents should be worn out of doors.
Visitors are advised to refer to the U.S. State Department website for the most up-to-date general travel information http://www.state.gov/travel. Travel advisories regarding specific countries should be regularly reviewed at http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1765.html
People In NeedCambodia as a nation is ranked 131, below India and Laos, out of 177 countries on the United Nation's Human Development Index (based on health, education, and income). Thirty-five percent of Cambodians live below the World Bank's "dollar-a-day" poverty line. One in every 7 Cambodian children dies before reaching their 5th birthday. Life expectancy in Cambodian is just 56 years. 71% do not have access to a reliable water source.
Common infectious diseases include hepatitis B, tuberculosis (both pulmonary and extra-pulmonary), HIV, schistosomiasis, and intestinal parasites. The most common chronic diseases are hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hyperthyroidism/Graves disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and alcoholism.
LanguagesThe language of daily use in Phnom Penh is Primarily Khmer, better known as Cambodian. This language is based on Sanskrit characters for reading and writing. Vietnamese is spoken by five to ten percent of the population of Cambodia, and MMC cares for a proportionately large number of Vietnamese people. Most staff of Mercy Medical Center speak English. A dedicated translator can be retained to assist non-Cambodian speaker for a small daily fee.
Medical Care FacilitiesMercy Medical Center (MMC) was established in 2000 by a broad-based, Cambodian-registered non-profit Christian organization. MMC is committed to high-quality, evidence-based, cost-effective care, which meets or exceeds WHO and Cambodian Ministry of Health's standards of care. MMC is also committed to the whole person, taking a comprehensive approach to health at all levels: preventive & curative, individual & public. Care is provided to all people regardless of their age, sex, ethnicity, beliefs, or socioeconomic status.
MMC primarily provides out patient care for both citizens of Phnom Penh and for those in outlying communities. About 600 consultations are provided each month, with special emphasis on management of acute infectious diseases and chronic medical conditions. The Medical Center performs minor surgeries, and has capacity to care for up to five inpatients. Support is provided by a laboratory capable of performing basic analysis. Radiological testing is referred to outside facilities. A Korean American dentist serves patients a MMC two days per week. People needing care for HIV infection are referred to appropriate centers.
MMC mobile clinics visit outlying towns one or two days each week, providing well childcare, health education, and disease management. People coming for care are largely of Vietnamese background.
Public Health InitiativesThe directors MMC are committed to health promotion and disease prevention. Patients have opportunity to go through a holistic care station that includes nutritional counseling, substance abuse counseling, understanding medication use, dental care, pregnancy, and personal hygiene.
On behalf of people living in remove villages, staff lead key interventions including provision of water-filters, teach villagers about community health issues, providing iodized salt, and training staff in contextualized health care. MMC replicates the World Health Organization's Primary Health Care model, with intent to expand training to include development of a formal village healthcare workers program.
Research needs in this context are enormous. A comprehensive health survey has yet to be conducted. Immunization coverage is low and needs to be studied, particularly to uncover cultural barriers to immunization. Sex trafficking is a prevalent and understudied phenomena in this nation, and effective prevention interventions have yet to be developed.
Website Healthcare Profession StaffMMC Expatriate Staff: Khmer-fluent expatriates provide their services for free to MMC:
- Anna Kammerdiener, MPH - USA, graduate of the Kansas University School of Public Health, followed by six years of research in environmental epidemiology prior to locating in Cambodia in 2002.
- Tim Benadum, MD - USA, living in Cambodia since 2002. Dr. Benadum graduate from Ohio State College of Medicine in 1984, completed residencies in both family medicine and emergency medicine.
- Doug Collins, MD - USA, living in Cambodia since 2002. Dr. Collins graduated from Wright State University School of Medicine, and completed the family medicine and global health residency at University of Cincinnati.
- Andres Gugliametti, MD - Germany, pediatric surgeon
- Eda Kim, MD - USA, Korean-American, family medicine
- Mary Kluck, MBBS - Australia, emergency medicine
- Dale Knutson, MD - USA, pediatrics
- Laurie Gardner, DPT - USA, doctor of physical therapy
- Vicki Butler, RN - USA, director of nursing
- Jessica Tu, pharmacist - USA
- Kim Tu, pharmacist - USA
- Chap Modich, MD - Cambodia, Primary Care
- Nuon Sophal (Tam), MD - Cambodia, Primary Care
- Ung Malineat, MD - Cambodia, Resident in Training
The leaders of MMC supervise with both Cambodian and international healthcare students in the nuances of creating sustainable health improvements. To this end, appropriate curricula has been developed for doctors, nurses, nurse assistants, and others, specifically suited to the needs of Cambodia. MMC regularly receives medical students, resident physicians, and students of other healthcare professions from Australia, Singapore, and the USA.
Student Lodging & MealsMMC will arrange appropriate housing at a local hotel or guest house. Grocery stories and restaurants are plentiful, and lunch is available at the clinic as well.
Outside CommunicationInternet access is readily available through Internet cafes. MMC itself has wireless Internet. A personal laptop computer is quite useful.
DiversionCambodia is famous for its ancient temples in the city of Siem Reap, including Angkor Wat containing the magnificent remains of the Khmer civilization. Beaches are accessible via three-hour bus ride from Phnom Penh.
Facility SupportINMED invites all participants to consider raising extra funds to donate to support this facility. While such efforts are not required, this will provide INMED personnel to become involved in every aspect of international medicine.
Behavior & DressFor women, short or long sleeves and long pants acceptable, as are capris. Short pants should only be worn inside one's hotel. Dress clothes are not necessary. Preferred foot ware is sandals.
Dress for men is similar, except that short pants are more acceptable for men. Jeans are too hot for this climate. Men generally wear dockers or slacks, short sleeve shirts. Polo shirts are common. Men do not wear neckties.
What To PackPersonnel should bring copies of any health profession licenses, diplomas, or certifications. Most any North American products can be purchased in Phnom Penh.