Cambodian disaster relief: refugee camp medical care

The lack of available data impedes the efficient delivery of health care in disaster situations. We present organizational information and patient data based on review of 924 consecutive admissions seen during our three-month experience as refugee camp pediatricians at Khao-I-Dang Holding Center for Kampucheans in Thailand. Most patients had severe and multiple common diseases, with pneumonia, diarrhea, measles, and meningitis having the highest incidence. To optimize care, the gathering and distribution of epidemiologic data, the development of laboratory facilities and treatment protocols, standardization of supplies, and the initiation of programs for disease prevention must be stressed.