The Prey Kabbas Referral Hospital in Takeo province was bustling on September 19 as a team of eye specialists from Phnom Penh’s Ang Duong Hospital traveled down to offer free vision care to rural villagers. Local residents came in for eye exams, received free prescription glasses, and those diagnosed with severe conditions underwent on-site surgery. For many elderly locals who rarely have the chance to visit a major city hospital, receiving specialized treatment right on their doorstep—and saving significantly on medical costs—brought immense relief and gratitude.
The initiative was jointly organized by Ang Duong Hospital and the Takeo Provincial Health Department, supported by The Fred Hollows Foundation and Bloomberg Philanthropies. Local health officials highlighted that the Prey Kabbas operational health district serves three districts with a population of around 170,000. Although the area has 20 health centers and two referral hospitals, specialized eye care remains extremely limited. When vision problems arise, many villagers simply endure blurry sight because they cannot afford the travel and medical fees for a trip to Phnom Penh.
In these rural communities where households depend on farming or running small stalls, losing one's sight can derail an entire family’s livelihood. With fresh glasses and successful surgeries, many elderly residents have regained their sight and returned to their daily work. This practical, hands-on support is making a real difference, lifting a heavy financial and emotional burden off low-income families across the region.
