SHCH: Celebrating 20 Years of Healing

Hope Worldwide • December 20, 2016

Twenty years ago they were outcasts rejected by their own families. Their bodies were wasting away, ravished by AIDS. They were the untouchables, modern day lepers. Out on the street. In the dust and ashes.

But on November 7th, these same people were greeting the King and Queen of Cambodia at the Sihanouk Hospital Center of HOPE’s (SHCH) 20th anniversary celebration. Touching their hands. Hands that wouldn’t have been touched by a commoner fifteen years ago were clasped in a respectful embrace by the King himself!

His Majesty the King Norodom Sihamoni and Her Majesty the Queen Mother greeted staff and patients at the SHCH 20th anniversary celebration.

A Scripture Fulfilled

"He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap; H e seats them with princes, with the princes of His people." -Psalm 113:7-8

Chuun Bophal and the other members of the HIV Support Group were not sure why the royal family paused to talk to them. But they did. And so, surrounded by ambassadors and other VIPs, the members of SHCH’s HIV Support Group (all patients themselves) discussed their life and work with His Majesty the King and Her Majesty the Queen Mother of Cambodia. Bophal and his friends had never dared to dream of this moment. It was magical. It’s not every day a poor Cambodian, especially one diagnosed with AIDS, meets a king.

It seemed to be just such a moment for the royal family as well. The King gave a touching and personal speech and, along with the Queen Mother, personally presented gifts to every patient in the hospital. They lingered to talk to each one. It appeared that the King and Queen would cherish this memory forever as well. To all present, it was a day when Psalm 113 truly came to life.

It Began With a Dream

Every once in a while a story appears that touches the heart, stimulates the mind and inspires the soul. Some are fiction. Others are true. And the ones that are true - they are truly inspirational. The story of the Sihanouk Hospital Center of HOPE is one such story. This free hospital for the poor in Phnom Penh, Cambodia is now completing its 20th year of service and continues to flourish and amaze many.

The SHCH was founded in the aftermath of the Khmer Rouge’s genocidal regime during which Cambodia’s health care infrastructure was systematically dismantled and almost two million people, particularly those of the educated and professional classes, lost their lives. It is estimated that only 50 physicians survived this regime.

In 1996, when the healthcare system was almost nonexistant, there were organizations and individuals with a dream to make a difference for the people of the nation. These visionaries included Bernard Krishner (Chairman, Japan Relief for Cambodia), Toshu Fukami (President, World Mate) and Robert and Pat Gempel (CEO and Executive Vice President, HOPE worldwide ) . Thanks to the financial sacrifices and service of many humanitarian organizations, churches and individuals, the SHCH became a reality. Many experts dismissed the notion that a free hospital could sustain itself. However, the Sihanouk Hospital Center of HOPE, under the management of HOPE worldwide , has not only survived but also achieved national recognition as a “Center of Excellence” in medical care, training and research.

Forty SHCH staff members were presented with certificates for 20 years of service and four doctors (front row) graduated from the Internal Medicine Program.

A Nation Changed
These are a just a few of the notable accomplishments of the SHCH:

Over 1.3 million patients have received medical care completely free of charge!
Over 5,000 medical professionals have received some or all of their training at the Sihanouk Hospital Center of HOPE.
Over 150 articles and abstracts have been published in international journals and conferences.
SHCH has been an NGO leader in the care of HIV/AIDS, diabetes, women’s health and many other specialties.
SHCH has inspired HOPE worldwide to lead other healthcare projects in Cambodia including the Sonya Kill Memorial Hospital in Kampot and the HOPE worldwide Medical Centers. Together these programs employ over 620 Cambodians and serve over 600 patients every day.

Perhaps its greatest achievement is what the hospital is best known for - love, compassion and unity around its mission to serve the poor. We live in a world where differences divide. Different races and different religions are at the root of much conflict between people. HOPE worldwide is a NGO based on Christian faith that desires to show the love of God to all, especially the poor. So at the Sihanouk Hospital, all faiths find a home. Buddhists, Muslims, Christians and people of other faiths all work together with the same desire to serve the poor. Each team member demonstrates compassion and love. And their commitment and unity shines as a beacon of hope in Cambodia and around the world.

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