K IND-HEARTED Belgian Post subscriber Wim Olyslager has arranged financial help for Phnom Penh's Preah Ket Meala military hospital after reading a story about how syringe needles had to be shared by patients due to lack of funds.

Olyslager sent copies of the story in the April 8-21 edition to six doctors, with the result of an initial donation of $500, with more to follow later.

"When I sent out the letters to my doctor friends there was a big Aids awareness campaign in France. They were all very shocked to hear about patients having to share needles.

"Their clinics in Belgium have a cash flow of thousands of dollars a day. The needs of the Preah Ket Meala hospital are only a tiny fraction of this," said Olyslager.

He went to the hospital on a visit here. "I talked to a doctor working in maternity. He has no rubber gloves and no antiseptic for deliveries. He was afraid of catching Aids," Olyslager said.

"The intention is to follow it [the donation] up with regular monthly payments," he added.