A Maternal and Child Health Campaign was held at our clinic in Phnom Penh from 6th to 9th of February 2016 to address the needs of the community based on the results of our previous Maternal and Child Health (MCH) survey. During the main event on 7th February, free consultations were given to patients by 2 family medicine specialists, 1 paediatrician, 1 internal medicine specialist, 1 dental officer and 5 medical officers.

Although the campaign focused on pregnant women and children, the patients seen throughout the event also include the young and elderly which were treated for various illnesses, including hypertension, diabetes and acute infections. A total of 81 patients were seen throughout the campaign, 30 of them were pregnant women. The pregnant women were given antenatal check-up, ultrasound scan and oral supplementation. Five of them never had an antenatal check-up done during their current pregnancy, in which barriers include financial burden and transport to health centre. An interesting case to note was a 25 year old lady who was 28 weeks pregnant. Her first scan at our clinic reveals a twin pregnancy with the leading twin in transverse position. This was a life-threatening condition allowed to persist until labour. She was referred to the tertiary health centre and was given a follow-up appointment. Other than medical consultations, young children were also given worm eradication therapy and was taught about dental hygiene by our dental officer.

The third day, on 8th February, the team went for a food package distribution for the poor at 2 different provinces: Kep and Kampot, each 3 hours away from the city of Phnom Penh. 30 food packages were distributed to these provinces. The foods packages which consisted of rice, noodles, cooking oil, bread, salt, sugar and flour. These packages were estimated to last for a month with regular usage. The packages were handed directly to the recipients from house-to house, with priority given to single mothers, the disabled and the elderly. The chance to assess the living conditions of the package recipients were reflected by a post on social media by our CEO, Dr Lutfi Fadil Lokman:

“There was this old lady who was lying on the bed when we came up to her house. We couldn't speak Khmer, hence we gestured our way, signalling that the food package were gifts for her. Then, we realized that she was too frail to walk. Wanting not to disturb her rest further, we made our way down from her house. It was then that she suddenly called 'wait!' in Khmer. To our surprise, she crawled her way to her door to see us go, and when she saw all 13 of us handling all these food packages...she started to cry. One of our doctors went back up and hugged her tight. It was one of those moments that I will remember for the rest of my life. A moment where I will always go back to when I feel dissatisfied with life”.

It was one of those moments that I will remember for the rest of my life. A moment where I will always go back to when I feel dissatisfied with life.
- Dr Lutfi Fadil Lokman

The campaign ended on 9th February 2016 with an evaluation session held at the hotel, where feedback were taken for future improvements. For many of the volunteers, it was a life-altering event where for the first time they were exposed to the living conditions of those living in extreme poverty. The Maternal and Child Health Campaign might have ended, but the continuous effort of our staffs at HBB clinic Phnom Penh will persist and they will always be there round-the-clock to accept patients with open hands at any time of the day.