Fairfax Digital
29/10/2008
by Allira Preece
A TWO week medical mission as a volunteer with the Global Aid Network (GAiN) was an experience of a lifetime for Laurieton man Allan Phelps.
After obtaining information from a friend about GAiN, the dedicated retiree became inspired to be part of the organisation which helped make a difference in improvingthe health of more than 3,000 Cambodian residents.
Mr Phelps was one of 50 Australians, along with 50 Cambodian medical students, who took up the challenge to volunteer for the expedition.
He said during the two week period his group operated ten clinics in Cambodia.
“We commenced clinics outside Phnom Penh for the first three days, then travelled to Kampong Cham to conduct a further four days before travelling to Pailin, which is 14 kilometres from the Thailand border,” he said.
“The doctors attended to 2,276 Cambodians, the optometrists 1,152, with 43 operations being undertaken.
“The surgeon undertook operations ranging from the removal of growths to repairing hernias, all undertaken on a bed in the corner of the clinics with local anaesthesia and a torch for light.”
He said his role as an aid worker ensured the cooperation of patients whilst assisting them from triage, to waiting areas before they saw a doctor.
“We would arrive at a village in the early morning and be faced with between 300 and 500 local residents waiting.
“We had to send a minimum of 200 people away. They would sit in the sun all day waiting in case we could take a few more people.
“We endeavoured to see the young, elderly and the sick first. These people only have the opportunity to obtain medical attention on a yearly basis at best and we saw a lot of Cambodians who had terminal illnesses in which little could be done.”
Allan said working as a volunteer for GAiN had given him a much better understanding of the poor health situation in Cambodia.
“It was a real eye opener to see the almost pitiful needs of third world countries compared to how well-off we are here in Australia.”
“I became a volunteer to help those less fortunate then ourselves and to understand a culture that’s in desperate need of outside assistance,” he continued.
The Global Aid Network assists people worldwide by providing relief for those in need.
To find out more about the organisation or to become a volunteer you can visit www.globalaid.net.au
29/10/2008
by Allira Preece
A TWO week medical mission as a volunteer with the Global Aid Network (GAiN) was an experience of a lifetime for Laurieton man Allan Phelps.
After obtaining information from a friend about GAiN, the dedicated retiree became inspired to be part of the organisation which helped make a difference in improvingthe health of more than 3,000 Cambodian residents.
Mr Phelps was one of 50 Australians, along with 50 Cambodian medical students, who took up the challenge to volunteer for the expedition.
He said during the two week period his group operated ten clinics in Cambodia.
“We commenced clinics outside Phnom Penh for the first three days, then travelled to Kampong Cham to conduct a further four days before travelling to Pailin, which is 14 kilometres from the Thailand border,” he said.
“The doctors attended to 2,276 Cambodians, the optometrists 1,152, with 43 operations being undertaken.
“The surgeon undertook operations ranging from the removal of growths to repairing hernias, all undertaken on a bed in the corner of the clinics with local anaesthesia and a torch for light.”
He said his role as an aid worker ensured the cooperation of patients whilst assisting them from triage, to waiting areas before they saw a doctor.
“We would arrive at a village in the early morning and be faced with between 300 and 500 local residents waiting.
“We had to send a minimum of 200 people away. They would sit in the sun all day waiting in case we could take a few more people.
“We endeavoured to see the young, elderly and the sick first. These people only have the opportunity to obtain medical attention on a yearly basis at best and we saw a lot of Cambodians who had terminal illnesses in which little could be done.”
Allan said working as a volunteer for GAiN had given him a much better understanding of the poor health situation in Cambodia.
“It was a real eye opener to see the almost pitiful needs of third world countries compared to how well-off we are here in Australia.”
“I became a volunteer to help those less fortunate then ourselves and to understand a culture that’s in desperate need of outside assistance,” he continued.
The Global Aid Network assists people worldwide by providing relief for those in need.
To find out more about the organisation or to become a volunteer you can visit www.globalaid.net.au
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