There is a dire shortage of doctors in Laos and patients often have to walk up to three days to see one.
Retired Calgary neurologist Dr. Robert Lee is one of many doctors helping make a difference in that country by training Laotian doctors and travelling to the countryside to help those in need.
"It is a very poor country and yet people most of the people we meet seem very happy and perhaps the most friendly people that I've met in any of the countries I've visited," says Lee.
Laos is less than half the size of Alberta but has nearly three times the population, most of whom live in remote villages.
Treatable diseases like diarrhea and malaria are still among the leading causes of death among children. A lack of clean drinking water is also a major concern in rural areas.
As part of their training, Lao family doctors spend six months living and working in the countryside as part of a curriculum developed by Lee.
There are now close to 60 doctors working in rural Lao with most of them operating in very isolated districts.
Funding for the Faculty of Medicine Lao project comes from the U of C, the World Health Organization, and the Governments of Canada and Luxembourg.
The project also accepts private donations by cheque, which can be sent to:
Ms Ruth Malus
Administrative Coordinator, UME
Room G 701, Health Sciences Centre
3330 Hospital Drive NW
Calgary AB Canada
T2N 4N1
A charitable donation receipt will be issued by the U of C.
