Townsville sisters are doing it for Cambodia in healthcare mission

An electrocardiogram (ECG), general medical supplies, and health education resources are some of the items Townsville sisters Sarah and Katherine Glendon will be taking on their overseas trip.
The Townsville University Hospital employees have volunteered to join AUS-SSC, a not-for-profit organisation made up volunteer doctors, nurses, and support staff to deliver health clinics in Cambodia.
Sarah is an enrolled nurse, and Katherine is a business support officer, and they will be on the ground in the Battambang Province next month helping to run free-of-charge general health clinics in several villages.
Katherine said she was responsible for gathering data, greeting people, helping to set up the clinics, and assisting people to fill out their paperwork.
“This is the second year my sister and I have volunteered, and we are both very excited to get back to Cambodia to help out,” Katherine said.
“For more than a week the clinics will travel around to some villages in the province and see hundreds of Cambodians each day.
“These clinics are the only healthcare many of the people receive due to their limited access to health because of distance, economics, and disability.
“Some of these people line up for hours to be seen and they’re always very appreciative of the service we provide to them.
“We were so touched by the warmth and gratitude of the people we met last year that we wanted to continue to do everything we could to improve their health and
well-being."
Sarah said she was going to use her expertise as a nurse and tertiary qualifications in health promotion and public health to help treat and educate as many people as
possible.
“We try and treat everyone who takes the time to come and visit clinic,” Sarah said.
“The education component is also an important part of why we are there.
“For example, breast cancer is the most common cancer for women in Cambodia, and it is usually quite advanced by the time local women are diagnosed with it.
“Some of the resources I am taking over will help people be able to self-examine themselves to feel for lumps so they can seek out that medical help sooner.
“We have also purchased an ECG from funds raised which we will be leaving in Cambodia, and we will be training local health professionals on how to use it.”
Sarah said each year they give out free washable menstrual liners to Cambodian women.
“Women’s health is an important concern in any community, and due to a lack of access to products like pads and liners some women are denied the ability to earn,
learn, and participate during their menstrual cycle,” she said.
“AUS-SSC work with provincial businesses to create reusable liners which we will be handing out while we are there to help give women that freedom and independence.”
Katherine and Sarah leave for Cambodia on 13 September.
To learn more about the Cambodian health clinics, or to donate, visit www.aus-ssc-sourcesupportconnect.net.