DOWNLOADA medical equipment handover ceremony was held at Koh Thom Hospital on Saturday, August 28, 2021 in Koh Thom district in Kandal Province, Cambodia. As part of the ceremony, Dr. Dan Sellers, medical advisor for the Cambodia Health Improvement Effort (CHIE), introduced His Excellency, Sun Chantol, Senior Minister of Public Works and Transportation. During his remarks, His Excellency expressed appreciation and gratitude to the Association of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for the gifts of medical equipment and supplies that were being donated to each of the 12 health centers in the Kandal Province.
He also announced that, in October, the Koh Thom Hospital will be torn down and construction will begin on a modern, larger hospital. This project will be funded by a collection of donor entities.
During the construction of the new hospital, the Association of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, will begin improvements on several existing health centers in the Koh Thom Province. This will help to maintain basic healthcare needs during the hospital construction.
DOWNLOADFollowing the formal remarks, the medical equipment was distributed to the 12 health centers. The equipment included patient monitors, oxygen tanks, patient beds, scales, autoclaves and many other supplies and equipment necessary for the proper functioning of the respective health centers.
DOWNLOADThe donated supplies are part of the ongoing CHIE project. This was begun in 2018, when Elder Peter F. Meurs of the Asia Area Presidency for the Church had a dream of improving healthcare to the poor and needy in Cambodia. To date there have been six couples with medical knowledge and experience that have come or are currently serving in the CHIE project as senior missionaries.
This program has provided medical supplies and equipment for many of Cambodia’s health centers that have minimal funding. It has also provided emergency first aid and life support training for first responders who have received first aid kits with supplies they can use for medical emergencies. The CHIE program has also provided education and training for doctors, nurses and other medical personnel as well as supplying COVID relief supplies to hospitals and those hardest hit by the pandemic.
DOWNLOADThe CHIE program is currently focused on upgrades and renovations to hospitals and the overall health care system. Humanitarian efforts are continuing to provide wells and clean water supplies to hospitals and other healthcare facilities.
Along with Dr. Sellers and his wife Marian, the ceremony was attended by Vichit Ith and Saret Long, who are the in-country coordinators of the medical initiative project. Also attending were Elder Randall and Sister Karen Jensen, who serve as Church Communication senior missionaries.