Humanitarian Efforts Help Provide Critical Equipment for Patients in Cambodia

Humanitarian doctors of the Cambodian Health Improvement Effort (or CHIE program) from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints placed A1C machines in eight provincial referral hospitals in the greater Phnom Penh area. The A1C machine provides doctors a way to test patients’ blood sugar to detect diabetes and diagnose those who are at high risk for cardiovascular disease, which is a leading cause of death in Cambodia.

His Excellency, Dr. Mean Heng, Director of the Municipal Health Department for Phnom Penh, participated in a sign-over presentation on October 14, 2022, for medical testing equipment at Dangkor Referral Hospital with representatives from the hospital and The Association of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  The presentation represented equipment that was provided to eight provincial referral hospitals.  Dr. Heng expressed his appreciation for the much-needed equipment.  The humanitarian doctors of the CHIE program expressed their gratitude for their relationship with the hospitals and His Excellency. They said they believe that they can continue to provide support to the hospitals with additional equipment.

One of the leading causes of death in Cambodia is cardiovascular disease. One way to prevent heart disease is with a simple blood test that indicates the level of a person's blood sugar and whether one is diabetic or pre-diabetic. Those who have diabetes, are at a greater risk for heart disease, so early testing is an important preventative step.

The A1C machine makes possible the test that can detect elevated blood sugars and allows patients to be treated before diabetes develops into cardiovascular disease. With a population of 2.2 million people, Phnom Penh now has greater access to this potentially lifesaving, and certainly life-altering, test.

To learn more about the Cambodia Health Improvement Effort, please click here.