A huge day

This was the kind of a day one can only dream of. I truly feel I saw history in the making and was a part of the future for Cambodian EMS. We learned that last years students are having real problems gaining access to patients. The Traffic Police don’t understand why the police we’re training need access to patient and if they are out of uniform they risk being hit with billy clubs trying to get to the patient. At an accident scene the traffic police secure a 50’ perimeter around the patient and deny any access.(even to other police) We talked about the issue with a group of our students and realized, if we create a EMS patch they can wear on their uniforms and an ID card with their picture signed by the top general, this would allow patient access. We are going to really try to get this done prior to leaving next week. Another issue is the public are unaware of what EMS is and are reluctant to let police help them. We are going to try to get the media involved in our class to increase public awareness. The last issue is the largest perhaps, our (minus the one female) student are extremely reluctant to touch a female. This is a major cultural issue we are going to attack with the help of Christine in class. Getting the students to hands on exams on females in class. (small steps) We hear a story of how a female that was involved on an accident that bleed to death, due to everyone (males) being afraid to touch her. I know some of these things may seem small but they will make huge differences in the future.

We did hear of a couple of real success stories. One of our past students had a code save of a drowning patient and another one saved his daughter that was choking.

The students are doing an outstanding job with the skills stations, despite the language differences. It’s so obvious how much they want to be here and succeed as EMS pioneers.

This morning as we entered the hospital compound there the over a hundred people (not including all the ones in front of the ER that had been there for who knows how long) huddled around a man handing out pieces of paper. Apparently each morning people wanting to see a doctor get a ticket and a lottery drawing happens, those lucky enough to have a lucky ticket gets to see a doctor. (what a system)

I could feel better today, I think it’s a combination of the hot weather, change in diet (I do love the food), malaria medication, the time change and who knows what else. If I get sick in won’t be the first time in a far off country.
Gary is off getting some three hour fluffy massage, Vu and Christy are getting the standard one hour massage for eight dollars, I and Jerry are doing actual computer work tonight. I really want to come back sometime and do some traveling here

Andy and OESP crew