Poipet Referral Hospital

Poipet is an interesting town with an odd relationship with the Thai. Technically Poipet is withing the Cambodian border (although many Thai history books apparently teach their children that it should belong to Thailand) yet it is illegal for Cambodians to gamble. Casinos are illegal in Thailand, but they are allowed to gamble in Cambodia. So... between these rules, the only place either can gamble is in Poipet! Historically this made for an unsavory crowd, but this has been an area of development for both Cambodia and Thailand. In fact, rumor has it that Thailand will be investing in a light rail from Bangkok.

Today we rode by motorcycle (the only way to the hospital from the city) to Poipet Referral Hospital. It was built in 2011, and opened just a few months ago. The floors and walls are still squeaky clean. Like many new hospitals that were built to adapt to a growing population, they have more beds than staffing for them, and thus several empty beds. A total of 13 physicians staff this hospital, providing basic minor surgery, a handful of elective general surgery cases, obstetrics, pediatrics and internal medicine. Doctors here take overnight call once every third day and are responsible for the emergency department.

The emergency department is a small 4 bed room with a locked cabinet with a sampling of resuscitation medications and equipment. Sick or potentially unstable patients are sent here and kept until "stable" to be admitted to the floor or discharged home. When they looked up the literal translation of how they were using the space, they found the English term "ICU" and put the wrong sign above the ED doors. The actual "emergency ward" sign in on the floor in the nursing break room... that was intended to be a procedure room. Overall the day was productive as I met a very eager and nice junior doctor... Dr. Tam. We rounded on the inpatient ward, and I was very impressed with his physical exam and clinical diagnosis skills. When one doesn't have access to many labs and imaging, every little additional piece of information counts. We spent about 10 hours discussing various emergency medicine topics.


With the blistering heat winding down to a simmer, we walked around the casino district of Poipet. I was fascinated to see this mini replica of Vegas. I was very impressed. The majority of construction capitol was placed in these casinos, and like their inspiration back home in the US, I'm sure it made quite a bit of money.



Growing up in Seattle, I immediately noticed a familiar sign from across the casino floor -Starbucks? When I got closer I broke out into laughter when I discovered Palais Coffee! A little much like our Northwest mermaid?

The actual Thai-Cambodia border crossing is marked with this gigantic hindu sculpture in similar design to the large temple, Siem Reap.













Siem is the Cambodian spelling for Siam, a synonym for Thailand. The Thai... or historically the Siamese had once occupied much of Cambodia. Siem Reap literally translates "Flat defeat of Siam." It is ironic then that this archway is a portal for the Siamese back into Cambodia to gamble. In fact, we had to change our money into Thai Bath... even though we were still in Cambodia!









Our hard days work was well rewarded with a cold Angkor beer. It turns out that my translator and nurse is somewhat of a pool shark. Funny how quickly "I've never played this funny game" turns into "I won a third time?" It was nice to have a quick escape back to familiar life... even if only for an hour. Back spicy noodle soup for breakfast in the morning.