Canadian medical professionals this week are offering free-of-charge surgery to Cambodians suffering from ear, nose and throat (ENT) ailments as part of an initiative by Impact Cambodia.

The initiative started on Tuesday and will run until Friday at Chey Chumneas Referral Hospital in Kandal province’s Takhmao town.

Dr Ly Makara, Chey Chumneas Referral Hospital director, told The Post on Monday afternoon that the goal is to give the poor access to proper medical services.

“Those suffering from ear, nose and throat conditions do not need to seek medical services abroad, which is a waste of money. Please come here for free treatment, and you will be treated by professional physicians from Canada,” Makara told potential patients.

Makara said ear ailments were particularly difficult to heal.

“There are only two hospitals in the Kingdom that provide surgical services for ear, nose and throat conditions – Preah Ang Duong Hospital and Chey Chumneas Referral Hospital. Accessing these services is not easy, particularly for low-income individuals who live in the provinces.”

As of 4:00pm on Monday, 50 patients had registered for treatment.

“The specialists will perform surgery on five patients each day for each disease. If more people need urgent surgery, the doctors in our hospital will take over.”

He noted that Impact Cambodia has been working with Chey Chumneas Referral Hospital since 2009, with more than 3,000 people treated for ENT conditions.