Every day, children with serious injuries and critical illnesses arrive at AHC in need of urgent, specialised care. Since 2019, the Transparent Fish Fund and the Ping and Amy Chao Family Foundation have supported AHC in strengthening paediatric critical care services. Through their continued partnership, AHC’s Trauma and Critical Care Centre (TCCC) and Intensive Care Unit (ICU) have built their expertise in traumatic surgical care services, while expanding our capacity to deliver life-saving treatment for children.
Through this programme, Dr Leng Nara was among the first doctors at AHC to receive specialised training in surgery and trauma care. Today, he leads a dedicated team of doctors and nurses delivering compassionate, high-quality care to patients at the TCCC.
“When we first opened, we had very limited equipment and often had to improvise during complex cases. Thanks to the Chao Foundation and Transparent Fish Fund, we now have the specialised tools and training needed to safely treat more complex injuries,”
Dr Nara shared.
“We have also expanded our care to older adolescents up to 18 years old, giving us a great sense of pride in knowing we can provide each child with the care they truly deserve.”
Dr Leng Nara, AHC’s surgeon
& TCCC programme lead
Since opening in late 2023, the centre has continued to grow as more families seek paediatric specialised care. Consultations have increased by 14%, admissions by 31%, and major surgeries by 72.5%, reflecting the growing need for trauma and critical care services. This steady increase in demand highlights how the TCCC is helping bridge the gap in access to specialised critical care for some of the most vulnerable children in Cambodia.
With the establishment of the TCCC, families like Engtheang and his mother Chantheun have access to free specialised surgical procedures, as well as post-operative care and nutritional support to aid recovery. For many families, this support can mean the difference between prolonged suffering and a chance for a healthier future.
“It was amazing to see how quickly he recovered after the surgery,” Chantheun recalled. “He started to regain his appetite, and slowly gained back his weight and strength. Seeing my son in less pain and smiling again felt like a miracle.”
In addition to supporting the TCCC and ICU in delivering life-saving care, this funding will also play a key role in strengthening AHC’s clinical capacity by training the next generation of specialists. This includes supporting two paediatric surgical trainees and one paediatric intensive care trainee, helping to build long-term expertise in critical care for children in Cambodia.
Thank you to the Transparent Fish Fund and Chao Foundation for standing with us in advancing paediatric care and ensuring that children, regardless of their background, receive the care they deserve.
