Emergency relief fund

Pregnant women are among those who benefit from the fund

Children suffering from illness or injuries are now able to access treatment and recover more quickly thanks to Plan’s  Children’s Health Emergency Relief Fund.

The fund was established in 2003 following a community request from Angkor Thom district, to help poorly children to access hospital services in Siem Reap town by providing support for transportation costs.

By April 2006 more than 15,300 journeys to the hospital were covered by the fund.

Without this help many families would have to borrow money to access treatment for their children. If they couldn’t afford to borrow, it is very likely their children would not receive proper care.

An assessment of the project shows that communities understand that sick children can now access treatment with help from the fund. Communities also feel that the children are now generally in better health.

Mrs.Lim Teoung said:

“I have five children. Before, when my children got sick I often used Cambodian traditional medicine. Sometimes they got better and sometimes they got worse. I am poor and my house is far away from the health centre, but two of my children have been referred two times each to get treatment in Siem Reap town.”
     

There are indications that there has been a decrease in child mortality over the last three years in Angkor Thom district. This is likely to be a result of a combination of factors, which may include the referral system.

Based on the recommendations in the last assessment, Plan is taking action to improve the system. This will include more community involvement, better targeting to the poorest, and use of health centres as the first port of call for sick children and pregnant or delivering women. Plan will work with the Belgian Technical Cooperation to find ways to improve service delivery from these facilities. 

The revised Children’s Health Emergency Relief Fund project is expected to be in place by January 2007.