Visit to Hospital:

1. Inspection of what had been achieved in the upgrade program regarding sanitation and water supply late 2008 at the hospital.
   
2. Discussion regarding the purchase of an oxygen concentrator (desperately needed.)  Lynn and hospital director will order/purchase this is PP this coming week.
   
3. Request  by SISWP to bring in an architect/engineer to visit hospital in regards to the requirements needed for the up-grade of the operating theatre, for 2010.

1. The hospital staff is pleased with the new well and pumps, but there was a problem in March/April this year, as the well cannot provide the water requirements at this dry time.  Possibly another well with a pump may be required if the hospital continues in this growth phase (not urgent until March/April 2010).
   
2. Marie Stoppes (Family planning NGO active in the Battembang Province) will donate the air-conditioner unit needed for the operating theatre, therefore the hospital administration have asked if SISWP could help with the installation costs.  This was provisionally agreed to, providing we could bring our own electrician from Bangkok. HAB project co-ordinators will investigate to establish the scope and the restrictions of Marie Stoppes' offer.
   
   

   

   
   
   Immediate requirements for the operating theatre prior to the upgrade would be a table, and operating theatre light. Lynn to canvas Bangkok hospitals to request assistance.
   
3. One medical ward has an infestation of insects (looks like wood lice/beetle), which is clogging drains, sinks, and water pipes.  We are going to look into this for them. They may need a special spray around the base of the building.  This insect only comes at this time a year i.e. in April/May.
   
4. The hospital administration would like a new 10-bed ward to enable them to separate HIV/TB patients.  This would include ablution facilities etc.  We advised them that this could be added to a future wish list. But that at this time it would not at all viable.
   
5. The hospital requested tiles to allow them to up-grade the floors and walls of the toilets.  They will provide the labour. This will be considered by SISWP as it is part of our promise to upgrade sanitation.

Good Points

• The hospital was clean and the grounds were in good condition.  Everything looks generally cleaner  however many of the water filters need replacing due to use by so many different people.
  
• The exterior of several hospital buildings including maternity, surgical, and laboratory have been painted. The inside of several wards have been repainted with more about to be done. Soroptimists provided the paint through a donation from a Thai paint company. Sampovloun hospital provided the labour.
  
• It was quite obvious that the hospital is being well used.   More HIV women are using the maternity ward, as the vaccine administered to new babies is now available at the hospital. There were many more patients in all the wards.
  
  
  
  
  
  
• The woman employed by SWP to clean the hospital and clean the water filters is still living at the hospital in very basic accommodation provided by SWP.  Her grand children are attending school.  
  
• The hospital director/management has approved in principle for Dr. Thy to work with Dr.  Michael Parer to develop a plan for a “health assessment clinic”.
  The reason for this is to encourage local residents and those along the border to access care in Cambodia rather than in Thailand.Our interpreter, Sopheap, was keen to inform us that many more of the local people are willing to use the hospital as the stigma of poor care and poor medication is slowly being removed with the new administration. 

1. The land thought to be available for agriculture by the school students and teachers is being sold and we will have to find another site.
   
2. School has leveled land for the base of the house they desperately need for the teachers.  [Beside the library/computer/TV room] the house on the site has been removed and the teacher occupant is temporarily renting off site.
   
3. An architect will be needed to be brought from Bangkok to help in the planning for a 2 single and 4 married couples’ accommodation (this includes 2 bathrooms and a  semi outdoor kitchen). Local builders can be used.  It would cost 120 Baht a day for each labourer, more for skilled labourers. Administration and material costs are yet to be budgeted. Cement and raw materials can be purchased on the Cambodian side.  General Chundorn has offered to assist Sopheap (HAB administrator) in consultation with SISWP and the school administration with the development, design, sourcing and purchasing of building materials.
   
4. It was noted that the Cambodian Govt want the roof to be Khmer tiles and not Thai style.  We will consult with experts to ensure local designs are used.
   
5. The concrete slab/base to be started only when the house construction actually starts. 
   
6. The school administration would like the basic construction to be strong, to allow for expansion at a later date.   Good foundations and strong concrete.  Perhaps adding another level to the construction (allowing for more teachers to come to the school).
   
7. Teachers who went to Battembang for teacher training: We interviewed two of the 4 who went (only 2 were present at afternoon school).  They are extremely motivated and delighted with their experience.  It would be extremely beneficial for a visiting teaching group to work through interpreters at the Santephaep School in the future as the teachers are beginning to embrace change. Comments included. “I really enjoyed meeting and talking to all the teachers from Cambodia and overseas. It was wonderful and I hope Mr. Brian (Teachers Across Borders) can come here, that would be very good.
   “My students are responding to the new style I am using. I have changed the desks (into groups) and we play games and read stories. I am enjoying my teaching, before, I was unsure of what to do.”
   Sopheap commented that several of the teachers had spoken of their intent to leave but the new enthusiasm of several members of staff has helped morale.  It is, however, very hard to entice good teachers to such an isolated and ‘challenging’ area and get them to stay! 
    
8. Water at Toilets:  A water pipe was broken on the Khmer New Year, but it is now being fixed by the school administration (this was very proactive). More cleaning equipment was requested.  The same local woman is cleaning the toilets and supervising the filling of the water closets.
   
   

   

   
   
   
9. Prizes donated by SISWP, HAB Project for the end of year prizes were awarded to students of excellence.  The staff made this a very special occasion and many photographs were taken for their records and ours.
   
10. Computer: Was having problem, but a surge box has been bought to help with the poor electricity and wiring.
    
11. Water Tank:  Now almost full.  No shortage of water.
    
12. Mushroom growing…still continuing.  Seems to be successful.