August 2023
Writer: Ted Mylnarz
It was a few minutes after 5.00 am on Thursday 3 August 2023 when a truck carrying around 900kg of medical supplies and equipment arrived at the International Terminal at Sydney Airport, the long awaited AHHA Mission for 2023 was about to begin. The first since 2019 due to restrictions imposed by COVID-19.
AHHA volunteers promptly unloaded the cargo and the journey to Cambodia and Vietnam was on its way. Around 80 volunteers from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide were on their way to continue the humanitarian and charitable work for the poor, disadvantaged and needy, for which AHHA is renowned. Cataract Operations, Eye Examinations, Medical Examinations, Dental Procedures, Medication Dispensing and distribution of Food Parcels. These services are provided free-of-charge to the patients who are disadvantaged and some disabled who otherwise would not be able to afford these services or receive medical attention due to their isolation in rural areas.
Cambodia
In Cambodia during the five days, the Eye and Medical team operated from the Khmer Soviet Friendship Hospital in Phnom Penh. The first day was devoted to setting up the operating theatres and examination rooms while some volunteers took the opportunity to visit a village where humanitarian food parcels were distributed. The next three days were devoted to processing the patients while providing medical and optometry examinations as well as performing cataract operations.
The Dental team was situated at the University of Puthisastra in Phnom Penh where procedures were carried out mostly on children with special needs, disabilities and being disadvantaged. This situation provided an opportunity for the dental students to work closely with AHHA dental staff and learn invaluable procedures which provided a learning experience for their studies.
The results for this period are:
| Medical Examination with Medication Prescribed and Provided | 370 |
| Eye Examinations | 490 |
| Cataract Operations | 212 |
| Dental Patients Examined and Treated | 556 |
| Humanitarian Food Parcels Distributeds | 600 |
AHHA is grateful for the assistance and contribution of the following organisations in Cambodia, without their support and partnership many of the activities would not be possible:
National Bank of Cambodia
Khmer Sight Foundation
Khmer Soviet Friendship Hospital
University of Puthisastra
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Ministry of Health
Vietnam
Following the completion of operations in Cambodia some volunteers returned home while a smaller group proceeded to Hue in Vietnam to provide medical and humanitarian assistance.
AHHA with the support of its sponsors and generous donors undertook to construct an emergency/evacuation centre on the grounds of the Pho Nam Temple, a short distance from the city of Hue.
Due to regular and constant flooding caused by severe monsoonal downpours, villages are severely inundated by flood and some lives have been lost.
With the construction of the centre, villagers are able to find relief from the floods and wait for the flood waters to recede to return to their homes.
While at the centre in the temple grounds, the following happened during one day of activity.
| Medical Examinations with Prescribed Medication | 186 |
| Eye Examinations with 60 Considered for Cataract Operation | 150 |
| Humanitarian Food Parcels Distributed | 600 |
In Hue, AHHA volunteers visited the Long Tho Temple where a school is conducted for special needs children. The children were presented with gifts and some financial support was donated to parents.