Cambodia
Location: Chenla Children’s Healthcare — Kratie
UMN Faculty global partner lead contact: Dr. Andrew Wu
Type of elective: Research
Objectives:
Participate in the care of Cambodian patients in the outpatient and inpatient settings
Teaching of the Cambodian physicians is well received and greatly appreciated.
There are a few quality improvement projects ongoing at Chenla. Please contact Dr Wu for more information.
Pre-readings and videos:
Wikipedia: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cambodia
For a compelling, but fictionalized story of the Khmer Rouge: In the Shadow of the Banyan by Vaddey Ratner
If you have Netflix, watch “First They Killed My Father” before you go. This is the heartbreaking story of a young girl who lived through the KR. It was released a couple years ago, and is brilliantly done. The book is excellent as well.
Estimated Costs for Cambodia
Airfare - $2000 (approximate)
Housing/Food - $40 per person per night (lunch and dinner included except Sundays)
Travel Insurance - $100
Travel Meds (w/insurance): Malarone (malaria prophylaxis) - $25, Azithromycin - $20
Travel Vaccines - Covered with HP insurance
Medical License - None
Ground Transport - $300
Visa - $35
Read the May 2023 Newsletter to hear about Drs. Andrew Wu and Jameel Winter's time in Cambodia
Read the March 2018 Newsletter to hear about Dr. Andrew Wu's time in Cambodia
Read the May 2019 Newsletter to hear about Dr. Jameel Winter's experience working in Cambodia
Click here to view past academic projects for Cambodia
Background Information:
Type of Experience: Children’s Hospital, Outpatient Child Health, Community Health
Is a Temporary Medical License Required? No, as you will not be a direct patient provider
Can a VISA be acquired upon arrival? Yes, however it is easier to apply for one online before departure. Having your visa in hand at the airport makes immigration much smoother. Turn around time has been approximately 72 hours, but it is best to give yourself plenty of time. Online visa application: https://www.evisa.gov.kh.
Primary Language Spoken: Khmer, some English
Are language skills required in the primary spoken language: English is spoken in the hospital. Any conversational Khmer you can pick up is greatly appreciated, but not expected.
Housing: Various options; can stay at the Housworth compound if room available (Bill and Lori Housworth run the hospital) for $40/night, which includes hot showers, air conditioning, wifi, and lunch and dinner every day except Sundays. Otherwise hotels are available in Kratie for around $10-30/night, but amenities vary.
Dress code: Business casual, or scrubs
Travel Medicines: see CDC for Cambodia for up to date information, take all prescription medicines in the prescription bottle
Required Vaccines: see CDC for Cambodia for up to date information, consider rabies vaccine
Brief Background/History:
Chenla Children’s Healthcare was started by Drs. Bill and Lori Housworth, who have been living in Cambodia for 10 years. Dr. Bill is the former executive director of Angkor Hospital for Children (AHC) in Siem Reap, Cambodia and after stepping down from AHC, he and Lori set out to start Chenla. Chenla is an excellent children’s hospital providing care to one of the most underserved provinces in Cambodia. As recently as 2014, 1 out of every 12 children die before their 5th birthday. Kratie Provence, situated along the beautiful Mekong River, is home to a number of minority populations who primarily live on less than $2/day, and Chenla is the only children’s hospital in the area. They provide outpatient services, inpatient and intensive care services, including neonatal care. Chenla is affiliated with the Kratie Provincial hospital, which is able to provide surgical support, and serves as a maternal health and delivery center.
Website: http://www.chenlachildrens.org
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chenlachildren.cch/