In Cambodia’s Takeo Province, where rural families often struggle to access even basic healthcare, a large-scale free clinic held from May 30 to June 1, 2025, became a source of hope and healing for thousands. This event, organized through the collaboration of international and local teams, was not just about medical treatment—it was about restoring dignity, relieving suffering, and building a bridge of compassion.
Responding to Cambodia’s Rural Healthcare Needs
Cambodia’s rural healthcare, especially in provinces like Takeo, remains limited, with only 1.4 health workers per 1,000 people, and most doctors concentrated in Phnom Penh. High out-of-pocket expenses, around 55% of health expenditures, further limit access for rural populations. While the government is improving infrastructure, training, and financial support programs like Health Equity Funds to boost care quality and affordability, mobile clinics from NGOs like Tzu Chi play a vital role in providing free medical services, helping to address healthcare gaps in underserved areas.
Tzu Chi’s involvement in Cambodia began in 1994, providing disaster relief and later expanding to medical outreach. After a pause due to political unrest, Tzu Chi resumed its presence in 2011, focusing on provinces like Takeo where the need is greatest. Since 2017, large-scale free clinics have become a vital part of this ongoing commitment, bringing essential care to those who need it most.
This year’s free clinic brought together nearly 200 medical professionals and volunteers from Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Cambodia. Each team contributed their expertise—internal medicine, surgery, dentistry, traditional Chinese medicine, and ophthalmology—ensuring that patients received comprehensive care. The Philippine Tzu Chi Eye Center even overcame logistical challenges to bring specialized equipment, determined to restore sight to those suffering from preventable blindness.
The Philippine Tzu Chi Eye Center team concluded their mission in Takeo Province on June 2 by conducting post-surgery eye checks, ensuring timely care for any complications. In total, they performed 108 cataract and pterygium surgeries and provided consultations to 107 patients at Prey Kabas Referral Hospital, with ongoing follow-up arranged through local volunteer ophthalmologists. | Photo: Tzu Chi Medical Foundation Philippines | Cambodia | 2025/06/02 |
Local Partnerships Make Healing Possible
The success of the clinic was built on strong local partnerships. The Samdech Techo Voluntary Youth Doctor Association (TYDA) and Cambodian businesses played key roles, not only by providing resources but also by encouraging staff to volunteer. Ming-Hsuan Hsieh (謝明勳), Head of Tzu Chi Cambodia, coordinated logistics and created a welcoming environment for patients, ensuring privacy and comfort throughout the clinic. His leadership and the dedication of local volunteers were crucial in making the event run smoothly.
LEFT: In preparation for the three-day large-scale free clinic, volunteers made extensive preparations, with Ming-Hsuan Hsieh (left), Head of Tzu Chi Cambodia, sharing the journey and significance of the mission. | Cambodia | 2025/05/31 | RIGHT: To help rural patients access care, Tzu Chi partnered with Cambodian agencies and the Samdech Techo Voluntary Youth Doctor Association (TYDA) to hold a three-day free clinic in Prey Kabas, Takeo Province, with strong support and volunteer participation from local Taiwanese businesses. | Cambodia | 2025/06/04 |
Medical Professionals Reflect on the Power of Outreach
For many doctors, the clinic was a return to the fundamentals of medicine. Dr. Ching-Liang Ho (何景良) from Taiwan shared how, without advanced equipment, he relied on careful listening and observation to diagnose and treat patients. Dr. Shu-Chen Huang (黃淑貞) emphasized the importance of patient education, teaching about nutrition and self-care so that families could continue to benefit after the clinic ended. Medical and nursing students from the University of Puthisastra also gained valuable experience, serving as interpreters and learning firsthand about the realities of rural healthcare.
RIGHT: After nurse Guan-Rong Lin removed the acupuncture needles, a patient excitedly pointed to her right leg—thanks to Dr. Shu-Chen Huang’s treatment, she could finally rest it flat on the bed for the first time in years. | Cambodia | 2025/06/07 | RIGHT: Deputy Superintendent Heng-Chia Chang from Taipei Tzu Chi Hospital treated several heart failure patients, offering health education and medication guidance to help them manage their condition and slow its progression, even if they could not return regularly for follow-up care. | Cambodia | 2025/06/09 |
Patients Experience Relief and Renewed Hope
For patients, the clinic brought life-changing relief. Sok Sun and Vorn Thy, an elderly couple, regained their sight after years of near-blindness, allowing their children to return to work and restoring independence to their family. Chea Phol, who had been nearly blind for a year, left the operating room in tears of joy. Lim Siv Mey, a young mother, finally found effective treatment for her daughter’s skin condition after months of failed attempts elsewhere. Ra Pisey, who had suffered from tooth pain for half a year, received dental care that restored her confidence and comfort. Many patients expressed deep gratitude, with one saying, “We have nothing to give but to wish them well, long life, and may you come next year to help our Cambodian people again.”
Many patients expressed deep gratitude for the medical treatment they received. | Photo: Tzu Chi Medical Foundation Philippines | Cambodia | 2025/06/01|
Over three days, the clinic provided 3,701 consultations, with 933 volunteer shifts supporting care in internal medicine, dentistry, traditional Chinese medicine, ophthalmology, and surgery. The event concluded with a wheelchair donation to Prey Kabas Referral Hospital and a traditional Khmer dance, symbolizing unity and gratitude. Through the dedication of international and local teams, the clinic brought not only medical care but also hope and dignity to thousands in rural Cambodia.
This article is based on information compiled from TC News and Tzu Chi Medical Foundation Philippines.
