AEGiS-13IAC: Development of a model of integrated care and support using volunteers and home care teams working with Hospital support, in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

13th International AIDS Conference

Durban, South Africa - July 9-July 14, 2000

Development of a model of integrated care and support using volunteers and home care teams working with Hospital support, in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

Int Conf AIDS 2000 Jul 9-14; 13:(abstract no. TuOrB363)

Hall G, Kong Bun N
G.Hall, Sihanouk Hospital Center of HOPE, PO Box 2318, Phnom Penh 3, Cambodia, Tel.: +855 23 882 484, Fax: +855 23 882 485, E-mail: sihosp@bigpond.com.kh

ISSUES: HIV/AIDS is devastating Cambodia, a very poorly resourced country still recovering from years of war. Increased awareness to prevent new infections and a cost effective care and support strategy is needed to meet the growing demands of the epidemic. Project: Staff at the Sihanouk Hospital Center of HOPE (SHCH) working with a local NGO, HOPE Cambodia, have already developed part of what will hopefully become a fully integrated program of care and support for PLWHAs in Phnom Penh.

RESULTS: The HOPE Cambodia Volunteer Corps, now 65 members strong, caring for abandoned, sick PLWHAs in local hospitals in Phnom Penh, have made >15,000 patient visits to date. The HOPE Cambodia Home Care Team, working with 7 other teams in the successful W.H.O. initiated project, bring care and support to patients and families in their homes. The HOPE Cambodia Support Group, started in 1997, is having a very positive impact on the social and emotional well-being of its 52 members, as shown by a recent questionnaire survey. In parallel with the community projects, the SHCH is developing its medical in- and out-patient care that provides a vital resource to the community teams for referral of patients. Counseling and laboratory services have also been developing. Lessons Learned: It has been recognized that a continuum of care is very important for PLWHAs. The SHCH, with HOPE Cambodia, are developing a program that seeks to meet medical, psychosocial and emotional aspects of care. There are still a number of steps to be initiated and these will require involvement with other partners. These include a hostel for homeless PLWHAs, a hospice, an income generation program, research programs and the rising number of orphans needs to be addressed.

Keywords: AEGIS, Voluntary Workers, Hospitals, Home Care Services, Human Development, Hospices, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, Counseling, Caregivers, Health Services Needs and Demand, HIV Infections, Data Collection, Referral and Consultation, Cambodia, Human, utilization, manpower, nursing, therapy
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