A team of volunteer healthcare specialists from the US will provide treatment for general diseases, dental and eye surgery and provide free eyeglasses to the population of Banteay Meanchey province’s Mongkol Borei district for seven days, from January 30 to February 5.
Director of the Banteay Meanchey provincial health department Le Chansangvath told The Post on January 29 that the 70 to 80 US volunteers would provide the services completely free of charge.
He said that the US medics had received permission from the health ministry and will operate in three locations.
“There will be three parts to the process: consultation and examination, and if necessary, surgery. Any surgical procedures deemed necessary will be conducted at the the Banteay Meanchey provincial hospital,” he added.
From January 30 to February 5, US volunteers will be present at Russey Krork Primary School.
From January 31 until February 1, they can be found at Soeus primary school.
From February 3-5 US doctors will be available at the Kouk Ballaing Community Learning Centre.
“Each of the locations will be open from 7.30am to 4.30pm,” explained Chansangvath.
He said the US specialists had brought nearly five tonnes of medical supplies with them, but local authorities were prepared to cooperate with them if they needed additional materials or the use of facilities.
Ou Sopheap, deputy governor of Mongkol Borei district, said on January 29 that his administration has used social media to share details of the visit as widely as possible. He had also instructed commune and village chiefs to reach out to local people.
“In the past, medical teams from South Korea and China have provided treatment to locals. The US has also sent teams out, but we have never received treatment on this scale,” he added.
He said the event would allow local people to access high quality healthcare without spending the time and money they could ill afford.
He urged people to come forward and receive treatment.
