The Editor,

W e would like to comment on the article in the last Phnom Penh Post (May 3-16) called

"Spitting at the ghosts: A village birth", written by Christine Chaumeau.

The article was well written and quite descriptive of a traditional medical response

to complications of a home traditional birth attendant delivery.

However, Krakor district hospital would like to clarify one significant point in

the article.

Money required for this patient to come to the district hospital and be treated was

only necessary for transport by boat and then by taxi (due to the fact it was night

and moto transport was not possible), from their Kompong Luong home to the hospital.

This in itself would cost at least 7,000-10,000 riel.

The staff did not require money for medicines or treatment within the hospital. There

is no money requirement for admission. It is clear to hospital staff that most people

spend all of their money on traditional treatments before coming to hospital.

It is also true that many Khmers are afraid to go to government hospitals because

of having to pay informal taxes etc.

We hope that this brief letter would clarify the tariff suggested in this article.

- Mr Chea Sambo, Director of Krakor District Health.

- Mrs Lori-Anne Barre, CCFC Krakor.