Do You Have Problems Sourcing Medications in Cambodia?

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AndyKK
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Re: Do You Have Problems Sourcing Medications in Cambodia?

Post by AndyKK »

BillDoe wrote: Fri Jul 23, 2021 7:19 pm I know this wouldn't work at the moment but, have you tried going to the ministry of health and seeing if they have a list of suppliers? You'd be surprised at how some people here genuinely want to help, with or without money involved.
Please explain to me why this wouldn't work at the moment? Do you yourself belive so strongly of the health system and its running in the country to help the poor?

Take for example - Keep your masks on for the disease you are not looking at or not seeing.

Tuberculosis and Malaria Tuberculosis (TB), malaria and avian influenza are serious concerns in Cambodia. Approximately two-thirds of all Cambodians carry the TB bacterium, one of the highest rates in the world, and some 13,000 Cambodians die annually from the disease.

That's over 1.083 deaths per month, put that in to comparison of how many deaths for Covid19 up to date?

Dual burden of TB and COVID-19
Tuberculosis (TB) and COVID-19 are both infectious diseases that attack primarily the lungs. Both diseases have similar symptoms such as cough, fever and difficulty breathing. TB, however, has a longer incubation period with a slower onset of disease.

While experience on COVID-19 infection in TB patients remains limited, it is anticipated that people ill with both TB and COVID-19 may have poorer treatment outcomes, especially if TB treatment is interrupted. TB patients should take precautions as advised by health authorities to be protected from COVID-19 and continue their TB treatment as prescribed.

Continuity of essential TB services during COVID-19 pandemic
Health services, including national programmes to combat TB, need to be actively engaged in ensuring an effective and rapid response to COVID-19 while ensuring that TB services are maintained. WHO Global TB Programme, along with WHO regional and country offices, has developed an information note to assist health authorities in doing so.

Prevention: Measures must be put in place to limit transmission of TB and COVID-19 in congregate settings and health care facilities, as per WHO guidelines.

Diagnosis: Accurate diagnostic tests are essential for both TB and COVID-19. TB laboratory networks have been established in countries with the support of WHO and international partners. These networks as well as specimen transportation mechanisms could also be used for COVID 19 diagnosis and surveillance.

Treatment and care: TB programme staff with their experience and capacity, including in active case finding and contact tracing, are well placed to share knowledge, expertise, and to provide technical and logistical support. Use of digital health technologies should be intensified to support patients and programmes through improved communication, counselling, care, and information management, among other benefits.

Human resources: Respiratory physicians, pulmonology staff of all grades, TB specialists and health workers at the primary health care level may be points of reference for patients with pulmonary complications of COVID-19.
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John Bingham
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Re: Do You Have Problems Sourcing Medications in Cambodia?

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AndyKK wrote: Sat Jul 24, 2021 1:01 am That's over 1.083 deaths per month, put that in to comparison of how many deaths for Covid19 up to date?
What's the point of comparing them? People will still die of TB, Cancer etc whether there is COVID around or not. Are you trying to say that we shouldn't care about one because the rates of the other are higher? Maybe I should stop caring about drowning because it's more likely I'll die in a traffic accident? :roll:
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AndyKK
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Re: Do You Have Problems Sourcing Medications in Cambodia?

Post by AndyKK »

BillDoe wrote: Fri Jul 23, 2021 7:19 pm I know this wouldn't work at the moment but, have you tried going to the ministry of health and seeing if they have a list of suppliers? You'd be surprised at how some people here genuinely want to help, with or without money involved.
BillDoe without money or some officialdom, words and compassion, I would be affraid are not enough. Lets face it the professional bodies that come to help the sick from overseas, come on some arrangement's and negotiations of pre paid monies. It costs to treat people, even before they get to help the people in need.
What I posted in the post before this is only the tip of the iceberg.
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AndyKK
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Re: Do You Have Problems Sourcing Medications in Cambodia?

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John Bingham wrote: Sat Jul 24, 2021 1:10 am
AndyKK wrote: Sat Jul 24, 2021 1:01 am That's over 1.083 deaths per month, put that in to comparison of how many deaths for Covid19 up to date?
What's the point of comparing them? People will still die of TB, Cancer etc whether there is COVID around or not. Are you trying to say that we shouldn't care about one because the rates of the other are higher? Maybe I should stop caring about drowning because it's more likely I'll die in a traffic accident? :roll:
Your missing the point, with a country we high burden the two go hand in hand. Its not comparison. If you left the research and treatment out for TB because you was aiming on the Covid problem, then sure the people suffering from TB may die. But also the disease wil grow.
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AndyKK
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Re: Do You Have Problems Sourcing Medications in Cambodia?

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John Bingham wrote: Sat Jul 24, 2021 1:10 am
AndyKK wrote: Sat Jul 24, 2021 1:01 am That's over 1.083 deaths per month, put that in to comparison of how many deaths for Covid19 up to date?
What's the point of comparing them? People will still die of TB, Cancer etc whether there is COVID around or not. Are you trying to say that we shouldn't care about one because the rates of the other are higher? Maybe I should stop caring about drowning because it's more likely I'll die in a traffic accident? :roll:
Plus I am not comparing them, but the world health organisation is.
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Re: Do You Have Problems Sourcing Medications in Cambodia?

Post by Ot Mean Loi »

Hello AndyKK

Perhaps I can't see the forest for the trees in your several postings, but what exactly, by pharmaceutical name and or brand, is or are the medicine/medicines you so urgently need and can't locate? There are often alternative generic pharmaceuticals known under different brand and product names available that qualified pharmacists can quickly identify and dispense.

It's my experience that that the best stocked and most obliging pharmaceutical outlet in Cambodia is that at the Calmet Hospital. However, sugar and sweetness work best when asking for something that is rarely stocked or consumed by patients. And it is from here that come the very expensive five medications that are keeping my best Khmer friend alive with her sudden-onset, pre-dialysis, Chronic Kidney Failure.

Best regards. OML
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Re: Do You Have Problems Sourcing Medications in Cambodia?

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Ot Mean Loi wrote: Mon Jul 26, 2021 4:51 am Hello AndyKK

Perhaps I can't see the forest for the trees in your several postings, but what exactly, by pharmaceutical name and or brand, is or are the medicine/medicines you so urgently need and can't locate? There are often alternative generic pharmaceuticals known under different brand and product names available that qualified pharmacists can quickly identify and dispense.

It's my experience that that the best stocked and most obliging pharmaceutical outlet in Cambodia is that at the Calmet Hospital. However, sugar and sweetness work best when asking for something that is rarely stocked or consumed by patients. And it is from here that come the very expensive five medications that are keeping my best Khmer friend alive with her sudden-onset, pre-dialysis, Chronic Kidney Failure.

Best regards. OML
Ot Mean Loi very sorry to hear of your best friend and that of her illness, it's the times like this when it is realisation that normality still also, unfortunately moves on forward with peoples illnesses dispite everyone's focus on the pandemic.
One of the reasons, actually the main reason for us to move to Phnom Penh was because my partner will need dialysis at some stage according too her doctor. She had been diagnosed by two doctors who had studied overseas and gained their qualifications, one of them at the time I understand worked weekdays at hospital you mention, and then weekends at the city hospital in Kampong Cham. His brother has a private clinic there, where my partner had many tests and scans before being informed she had liver cirrhosis. The medication that is needed, I can get at the clinic where she was diagnosed with her illness, or at one pharmacy in Koh Kong. Here in the city I get only again from one pharmacy, but yesterday found one more who stocks the medicine, but for now is way above the price I have been paying. I must admit I have avoided hospitals directly because they may ask for tests before letting her have the medication, this would be again unnecessary, just added costs.
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Re: Do You Have Problems Sourcing Medications in Cambodia?

Post by Ot Mean Loi »

Hello AndyKK

The Pharmacy at the Calmet Hospital sells to the general public as well as to patients at the hospital so no problems there.

My friend was well diagnosed at the Provincial Referral Hospital at Kratie and the doctor in charge of her case did a very good job keeping her alive using the resources available to him and which did not include any access to any dialysis equipment. As such, he wanted her sent immediately to the Military Hospital in Phnom Penh for advanced investigations and tests. Unfortunately, and as will be recalled, about five or six weeks ago all inter-provincial travel was prohibited then partially lifted but still excluded travel in to Phnom Penh area. Once the restriction on travel in to Phnom Penh was lifted, she came immediately to be given a series of tests and examinations at the Military Hospital in Phnom Penh as an out patient. The diagnosis of the doctor in Kratie was confirmed as incurable, sudden onset, CKD - Chronic Kidney Disease, pre-dialysis. Because the patient is an orphan survivor from the Khmer Rouge era and totally without living "blood" relatives and used to be employed by me over quite a number of years, I have assumed a responsibility for her. However, the five medications she needs to stay alive without dialysis are costing US$250 per month.

It would appear that both your partner and my very good friend are both heading towards dialysis sooner rather than later. As such, do you know for sure who - by name - and where by location address - dialysis is performed in Phnom Penh or else where in Cambodia? If so, and for the benefit of myself and present and future readers of this thread, could you please post these details to forum? Also do you have any knowledge of the cost $$ of Dialysis in Cambodia?

Given what is involved it sure as heck will not be cheap. I have a good friend here in Sydney who has been having dialysis three times a week for some years now and it takes about five hours each session, but fortunately costs him absolutely nothing thanks to Australia's universal free medical care at public hospitals. Oh that this were so in Cambodia.

Thanks in advance.

OML
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AndyKK
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Re: Do You Have Problems Sourcing Medications in Cambodia?

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Ot Mean Loi, at this stage I don't know too, all I remember her doctor telling me at the time, Phnom Penh, but which hospital I don't know. Regarding cost of the dialysis I recall the conversation with the doctor and my partner (I was present) she holds some kind of card, I can only presume it may have something to do with her past work when she was a lower ranked officer, that aparently gives her that treatment of this kind for free.
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Re: Do You Have Problems Sourcing Medications in Cambodia?

Post by Ot Mean Loi »

I have an update to this thread concerning those with or seeking information about treatment for CKD - Chronic Kidney Disease.

My friend, following referral from the Kratie Provincial Referral Hospital, had treatment yesterday at the PREAH KET MEALEA Hospital located at Street number 47, just off Sisowath Quay, and the one (1) night stay with Dialysis cost US$300. She has to remain at the hospital for at least one more night following this treatment. She will then be allowed to return to Kratie where no such treatment is available.

The Preah Ket Mealea Hospital is a 1,000 bed joint Military/Civilian hospital.

I trust that this information may be of assistance to others. Sorry, but I do not have more information than this at this stage.

OML
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