In Cambodia, especially in rural areas, residents do not go to medical institutions despite experiencing symptoms of illness. The Health centers, the nearest medical institution in the village, are available for these residents, but sometimes they do not feel the need to go to, or rely on traditional medicine, which may delay their visit. Since young children cannot explain their symptoms or condition in words, if adults do not have the correct knowledge, it can be too late to receive proper treatments.

Pediatric Surgery Project is carrying out public awareness activities through radio, in order to help children to be treated properly and timely.On Jan 29, two FIDR staff members and a surgeon from the Kratie Provincial Referral Hospital (KPRH) appeared on the radio and spoke about ‘Symptoms of Pediatric Surgical Diseases’. (Simultaneous broadcast through radio and Facebook Live.)

Dr. Mab of KPRH described the following cases among pediatric surgical diseases: The first is about diseases that require urgent treatment and those that do not. The second is common diseases that patients tend to rely on traditional medicine and delay the consultation of medical doctors, such as burns, fractures, and animal bites.

Furthermore, he introduced the Health Equity Fund, which covers medical examinations and surgical operation expenses for those with low-income so that parents won’t have to worry about the financial strain of visiting a doctor. He added that hospitals could also consider exempting these expenses. He appealed to audience, “The top priority is to bring your child to the Health Center when getting sick. In the case that the condition is serious, hospitals can provide the treatment instead of the health center. Remember to go to health center first to save children’s lives”.

During the broadcast, audience immediately asked about medical facilities in Kratie province where pediatric surgical patients could receive treatment as well as the possibility of surgery. The fact that the number of views on Facebook exceeded 800 in the first day after the broadcast indicates a high level of interest in this topic among residents. The radio segment will be rebroadcast for a month, and Facebook and YouTube videos will be archived.

Picture: (From the left) Ms. Ariun - Project’s deputy manager, Dr. Mab - Surgeon of KPRH and Mr. Rotanak, FIDR project facilitator. Background is the front gate photograph of the KPRH.