Cambodia: Cardiovascular Care and Training
Population: 16 million
Cambodia has enjoyed great success in improving health outcomes in recent decades. The country’s health system has been expanded and strengthened, access to health services has increased and they have seen significant reductions in maternal mortality. Still, challenges remain, including improving the quality of care and equitable distribution of health benefits across population groups, reorienting health systems to respond to epidemiological transitions, and addressing the social, economic and environmental determinants of health.
- There are an estimated 0.02 physicians per 1,000 population and 0.8 nurses and midwives per 1,000 population.
- Infant mortality rate (per 1,000 live birth): 14.8
- Under-5 mortality rate (per 1,000 live births) : 29
*Estimates Developed by the UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UNICEF, WHO, World Bank, UN DESA Population Division)
Our Impact
USFC has been active in Cambodia since 2001, with a particular focus on cardiovascular care that has grown into a post-doctoral program in cardiology. As of 2010, USFC has expanded into neurosurgical interventions and neuroscience training and mentorship programs.
In 2018:
- USFC has provided cardiac surgery for 79 patients in Cambodia
- 4,382 cardiac consultations were organized in Cambodia benefiting 3,015 children and 1,367 young adult/adults
- 202 remote cardiac consultations were carried out via the ECHOES® platform with French surgeon Prof. Daniel Sidi.
- Two neurosurgical missions took place in May and December. Across both medical missions, 36 children received surgical treatment.
- At the Calmette Hospital, construction is underway for new a neuro surgery unit and a heart surgery unit. The building will increase the number of operating theaters and include a post-operative recovery room.
Our Activities
The Center For Neurosciences at Calmette Hospital Of Phnom Penh
It is estimated that 5,000 new cases of intracranial tumors go untreated each year, one-third affecting children. In 2014, USFC responded to this need through The Center for Neurosciences, opened under the auspices of His Majesty King Norodom Sihamoni and Prime Minister Mister Hun Sen. Today, the center handles both adult and child neurosurgical and neurological disorders and works to develop a range of different treatments which meet international procedures and protocols.
In 2018 two neurosurgical missions took place in May and December. Across both missions 36 children received surgical treatment. Training sessions also took place at the Siem Reap Center and the Phnom Penh Cardiology Center at Calmette Hospital. Since the training programs were put in place, USFC has been successful in training two pediatric neurosurgeons and two resident doctors.
At the Calmette Hospital, construction is underway for new a neuro and heart surgery unit. The building will increase the number of operating theaters and include a post-operative recovery room.
Taking on Child Cardiovascular Disease
USFC strives to create a new national standard of cardiovascular care in Cambodia by offering specialized trainings and technical expertise to the next cohort of medical specialists. This began in 2003, when USFC created a Cardiac Pavilion in Phnom Penh to improve access to care for children with cardiovascular diseases. The Pavilion treatment unit merged with the Calmette Public Hospital to become its official Cardiology Department in May 2013. It includes 28 beds, 2 cardiac exam rooms and a dental office to prevent post-operative endocarditis.
Today, cardiac consultations are carried out in two consultation rooms, with modern ultrasound equipment. Prescription treatments are offered free of charge. Each month, 8 pediatric operations are financed and consultations are provided for orphaned children free of charge.
In collaboration with the Kantha Bopha Foundation, USFC also carried out 456 operations at the Siem Reap Center. It is worth noting that 201 of these surgeries were interventional catheterizations by Dr. Ponn Ladin, who was trained in pediatric cardiac surgery by USFC teams.
As of January 2012, USFC also supports a postdoctoral program in cardiology at the University of Health Sciences in Phnom Penh. In conjunction, the Pavilion welcomes these residents in training, providing technical assistance to the Calmette Hospital Cardiology Department.
