In late March 2026, a transnational medical team traveled to Krakor District in Pursat Province, Cambodia, to hold a large-scale free clinic. Led by Rong-Yuan Shyu (徐榮源), Vice Superintendent of Taipei Tzu Chi Hospital, the team included medical professionals and volunteers from Taiwan, Singapore, the Philippines, and Cambodia. Arriving in Phnom Penh, the team embarked on a journey over dusty, bumpy roads to reach rural communities that lack access to regular medical care. Over three days, they provided medical services to 4,052 people, bringing hope in areas shadowed by poverty and limited resources.
Relief for a floating community
On the morning of March 27, Shyu and a group of medical staff traveled to the Krakor Floating Village Primary School. The school rests on the shimmering water, surrounded by tranquility but bearing the marks of poverty. The medical team recognized the challenges the students face in their humid environment, where skin and scalp conditions are prevalent. They brought 144 tubes of skin ointment to donate and treat the children.
Doctors and nurses carefully examined the students, applying the medication one by one. To further support the students' education, the team also donated two computers, hoping to improve their learning environment and connect them with wider educational resources.
A collaborative medical effort
At the Krakor Referral Hospital, the atmosphere was busy but highly organized. The internal medicine department alone was supported by 11 physicians, covering specialties from cardiology and gastroenterology, endocrinology, infectious diseases, otolaryngology to pediatrics and family medicine. Among them was 84-year-old Sen Wu (吳森), who brought tens of thousands of acupuncture needles to provide traditional Chinese medicine treatments. Cheng-Hui Huang (黃正輝), an ear, nose, and throat specialist, transported his own medical equipment to the site to ensure accurate diagnoses.
While the doctors consulted with patients, volunteers navigated the warm waiting areas to offer cool water, coconut water, and soy milk to the waiting crowds. Local volunteer Ming-Hsuan Hsieh (謝明勳) and others like Sister Rose interacted with the patients, bringing a sense of calm and frequent laughter to the anxious environment.
Transforming lives through care
The free clinic witnessed the intersection of two distinct life journeys on its second day. A young girl named Sulisa arrived at the clinic with a bright smile. She had previously suffered from a large facial hemangioma and received extensive treatment at Dalin Tzu Chi Hospital in Taiwan. Now recovering well, she traveled with her grandmother to present the medical team with handmade thank-you cards expressing her gratitude.
On the same day, a 16-year-old girl arrived at the clinic after an arduous eight-hour journey. Half of her face was covered by a severe vascular tumor extending from her nose and lips to her eyes, causing significant facial distortion. Hsu and surgeon Tien-Hao Yeh (葉添浩) examined her immediately. Realizing the complexity of her condition, they utilized telemedicine to transmit her medical information back to Taiwan. They consulted with You-Chen Chao (趙有誠) and Shou-Hsin Chien (簡守信), Superintendents of Taipei and Taichung Tzu Chi Hospitals respectively, along with Po-Chih Hsu (許博智), Director of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, to develop a comprehensive treatment plan for her.
Silent dedication behind the scenes
The success of the three-day clinic relied heavily on the pharmacy team, who operated quietly in a crowded, fast-paced environment. They carefully managed the inventory, dispensed medications with clear instructions, and ensured that every prescription was accurate. By the end of the event, the medical team had identified 190 patients who required further surgical interventions or continuous treatments for conditions such as cataracts, thyroid tumors, and cardiac arrhythmias. The team is committed to ensuring that these individuals receive the necessary follow-up care, understanding that their responsibility extends far beyond the duration of the clinic.
The transnational clinic demonstrated how shared compassion transcends borders. During a gathering, Governor Rida Khoy of Pursat Province expressed his deep appreciation for the medical professionals, praising their dedication to the people of the region. For the medical professionals and volunteers, the true reward was found in the smiles of the patients and the knowledge that they could offer comfort to those in need.
When people are hurting, I feel their pain; when people are suffering, I feel their sorrow. When those who are suffering cannot step out to seek help, those who are blessed must step in to reach them.— Rong-Yuan Shyu, Vice Superintendent of Taipei Tzu Chi Hospital
The medical mission in Cambodia continues to provide a beacon of hope, bringing health and stability to communities while fostering a lasting bond of care across nations.
Written by Rong-Yuan Shyu (徐榮源)
