In the news…
A significant milestone occurred in the progress of the Handa Medical Center.
July 5, 2023
THF proudly announced that seven talented Cambodian physicians (six medical doctors and one surgeon) successfully completed a five-year Clinical Competency Training Program at the Handa Medical Center. “Clinical Competency” is the proven ability to integrate knowledge, skills, attitudes and values into all types of clinical situations. Congratulations were given to Dr. Neak Sopheaktra, Dr. Yos Sovann, Dr. Moeurt Sokun, Dr. Kim Vichet, Dr. Bou Vannthet, Dr. Eang Vanda and Dr. Oum Sovannarith.
First Container Arrives from Australia
June 4, 2023
After hosting hundred of volunteers from Australia over the past ten years, the Handa Medical Center received its first container of in-kind donations from down under. An organization in Sydney called Medical Aid for Oceania sealed and sent a full container filled with equipment and supplies valued at more than 500,000 US dollars. The items sent included a variety or surgical equipment and hospital furniture for the Handa Medical center, as well as 105 computers for the students of the Handa Academy.
Special Visitor from England
March 21, 2023
Mr. Peter Phillips – a member of the British royal family – visited the programs of The Handa Foundation to encourage the staff and learn about the various programs of THF throughout Cambodia. Other special guests joined from the Office of the Governor, the Battambang Provincial Police Commissariat, and the Provincial Health Department.
Curtin University Program Relaunch
January 6, 2023
After years of Covid travel restrictions, Curtin University (the largest university in Western Australia) and The Handa Foundation were able to relaunch their five-year-old partnership in Battambang Province. A new team of students and medical professionals arrived from Australia to volunteer their time with the Nursing and Radiology departments of the Handa Medical Center. In addition to serving patients and training staff, the team from Curtin also continued their tradition of making a donation of medical equipment to the facility.
THF Joins the Fight Against Covid
March 7, 2021
The staff of The Handa Foundation joined local officials in the fight against the spread of Covid and to care for those effected by it. The largest ward of the Handa Trauma Center was converted into a Covid patient ward, the medical staff of the Handa Medical Center participated in specialized training to better serve their patients, large donations of PPP equipment were shared with the local government hospital, and the families of the Handa Academy students received weekly donations of food and water. The tables were also turned when the staff of the Handa Medical Center were themselves required to undergo a 25-day on-site quarantine. The community responded by generously delivering fresh water and food, surprising the staff on a daily basis with their show of support and generosity.
THF Responds to Historic Flooding
October 23, 2020
The staff of the Handa Medical Center went mobile this month to serve thousands of residents impacted by severe flooding in Battambang Province. Medical consultations, medicine, reading glasses and toothbrushes were distributed free of charge in cooperation with local officials. Many thanks were shared publicly for the generosity of the medical center staff, as well as for the volunteers who joined the effort from various local churches and charities.
THF Celebrated the 20th Anniversary of the HTC
April 16, 2019
The staff of The Handa Foundation celebrated the 20th Anniversary of the Handa Trauma Center. Many local and international dignitaries were in attendance to encourage the staff and to celebrate the free trauma care that has been provided to more than 160,000 landmine and traffic accident victims in NW Cambodia. During the program the 29 staff members who have been with the hospital since it opened in 1998 were honored one by one, and given several gifts of appreciation. More Pictures
$375,000 Donated to The Handa Foundation
January 13, 2019
Representatives of the Professional Golfers Association, joined by ISPS Handa Patron and former Ireland Prime Minister Enda Kenny, presented a $375,000 donation to The Handa Foundation management team. More Pictures
THF Recognized for Excellence
September 14, 2018
Congratulations to the staff of The Handa Foundation for winning two Excellence Wards at the 2018 Hospital Management Asia Conference in Bangkok, Thailand. The ACT Mobile Clinic and the Padraig Harrington Renewable Energy System won two out of the 13 Excellence Awards presented during the conference, chosen from a pool of more than 400 entries submitted by more than 100 hospitals across Asia. More pictures are here.
World Journal of Surgery Publication
March 1, 2018
The World Journal of Surgery published a research study that was conducted in the World Mate Emergency Hospital in collaboration with The Handa Foundation and the Stanford University School of Medicine. Congratulations go to Naomi Garland, Sokhavatey Kheng, Michael De Leon, Hourt Eap, Jared Forrester, Janice Hay, Palritha Oum, Socheat SamAth, Simon Stock, Samprathna Yem, Gerlinda Lucas and Thomas Weiser. Thanks for sharing your expertise and successfully lowering the post-operative infections among our patients! For more information please see the publication.
PGA Tour Donates $700,000 to THF
April 28, 2017
Representatives of the Professional Golfers Association, joined by ISPS Handa Patron and former New Zealand Prime Minister John Key, presented a $700,000 donation to The Handa Foundation management team.
A Visit to the Peace Palace
April 28, 2017
Donation from ISPS Handa World Cup of Golf
December 29, 2016
Various golf teams at the ISPS Handa World Cup of Golf made donations to The Handa Foundation. Thanks for your support!
THF Featured in Travel Magazine Magazine
September 16, 2016
The Handa Foundation and the World Mate Emergency Hospital were recently featured in a special edition of Travel Globe Magazine as one of three “heroic organizations” that are changing Cambodia for the better. The coverage of our work is from page 35 through page 61. Enjoy!
Coldplay Charity Concert in the UK
May 26, 2016
The music group Coldplay has agreed to play a charity concert organized by The Handa Foundation on June 28th in Kensington Palace Gardens. We appreciate their support!
THF Featured in Tokyo Health Summit
March 18, 2016
Dr. Gerlinda Lucas, Director of the WMEH, featured today on a panel with the Governor of Tokyo discussing the future of Global Health and International Policies.
Charity Concert in Tokyo for THF
March 15, 2016
On March 17, 2016 The Handa Foundation will host a charity concert in Tokyo, Japan. Supporting artists include David Foster, Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds, Peter Cetera, Katherine Jenkins and Spice Girl Melanie C. We appreciate their support!!!!!
Angelina Jolie Encourages the THF Staff
March 5, 2016
We are thankful for our local staff and international volunteers, both doctors and nurses, who volunteered their time off today to provide emergency medical assistance to the 4000+ people in the film crew and cast of a movie being filmed in Battambang by Ms. Angelina Jolie.
Article in Forbes about our Founder
December 22, 2015
There are very few things written about Dr. Handa in English. Here is a recent article from Forbes Magazine. Happy holidays!
THF Staff Visit with Cambodian PM
May 30, 2015
Dr. Peter Piot, an advisor to The Handa Foundation, was invited to discuss health care in Cambodia and the role of The Handa Foundation with the prime minister.
New Van for the Handa Nursing School
February 19, 2015
Hand over of a donated vehicle to the Handa Nursing School in Vientiane Laos, to be used to transport students to distant communities for their field practice.
New Equipment from the Borland Grover Clinic
January 1, 2014
The Borland-Groover Clinic (from Florida, USA) donated a full suite of endoscopy equipment, as well as funding for a new building, to The Handa Foundation. During the visit of their team, the training of local staff began and several patients received care.
Michael Bolton Charity Concert for THF
October 26, 2012
Dinner last night in Singapore with Anna, Kevin, Michael Bolton, Andrew Cayley and Dr. Handa. Tonight Michael will have a charity concert in Singapore – to benefit The Handa Foundation!!!
Trauma Hospital Saved by THF
March 21, 2012
The World Mate Emergency Hospital was originally founded and managed by a charity organization based in Italy called Emergency. In 2011, the Italian charity announced it had a shortage of resources and could no longer support the hospital and its work. In January of 2012 the Cambodian Ministry of Health, together with the Italian charity Emergency, asked the Handa Foundation to manage and sustain it beginning March 1, 2012. One month later, instead of closing as planned, the staff members of the hospital were delighted to have Dr. Handa and an international delegation arrive in Battambang to announce that the World Mate Foundation would now be supporting the hospital and enabling it to continue providing life-saving trauma care to the people of the region.