Chungcheongnam-do

▲ Chungnam Medical Association performing medical volunteer service activities in Cambodia

With the support of the Chungcheongnam-do Provincial Government, the Chungnam Medical Association (President: Park Sang-mun) performed medical service activities together with Dankook University in the Ta Keo region outside Phnom Penh, Cambodia from August 26th to 31st. 
 
An international medical volunteer group (leader: Jung Eun-joo) consisting of 20 people including 9 doctor members as well as nurses and volunteers participated, similar to last year. The ophthalmic surgery team conducted a total of 45 ophthalmic surgeries (39 for cataracts, 6 for pterygium) at Hebron Medical Center in downtown Phnom Penh with the assistance of Eye Love Foundation, and also provided customized reading glasses to 200 patients.

In order to offer fundamental support for the health of local residents rather than performing ceremonial, one-time medical services, the group also conducted training for local doctors during surgical procedures to teach the outstanding medical skills of Korea.     

In addition, about 1,100 patients in the areas of internal medicine, dermatology, family medicine, otolaryngology, ophthalmology and gynecology were treated (700 received treatment, 300 received health counseling) in 3 days, and medicine suitable for a deteriorated medical environment, including anthelmintic (for about 4,000 people) and iron for anemia (for about 300 people), were prepared and distributed.

In response, a local leader visited the medical service site to show gratitude for the efforts of the medical volunteer group along with an appreciation plaque, and Hebron Medical Center, which offered assistance in ophthalmic surgeries, thanked the group as well.   

Moreover, Chungnam Medical Association promised to sponsor an aging school of local children with playground equipment and gave the students backpacks and other presents. A representative of the Chungnam Medical Association stated that the event would not have been possible without the cooperation of the president and representatives of Dankook University Hospital, which offers unwavering support for annual volunteer medical service activities, as well as the province and local authorities of Cambodia.