With just two weeks remaining until the opening of the new hospital, the commitment of our staff, who have been working tirelessly every day in preparation, has grown even stronger.
This determination was further strengthened by the Pediatric Resuscitation Course held at Japan Heart Children’s Medical Center from August 5th to 7th, 2025.
The new hospital, scheduled to open at the end of October, will be a pediatric-focused facility with a maximum capacity of 200 beds.
What is required is the ability to make decisions and act swiftly to save a child’s life when faced with critically ill pediatric patients or sudden deteriorations in condition.
Furthermore, with the opening of the new hospital, pediatricians will no longer be permanently stationed at the existing Japan Heart Children’s Medical Center. This means that the remaining doctors and nurses will need to rely on their own skills to provide initial responses, making their abilities more crucial than ever.
Launching the Pediatric Resuscitation Course
Against this backdrop, the Pediatric Resuscitation Course was held with instructors including Professor Shimizu from St. Marianna University School of Medicine and Drs. Mizuno and Kinoshita from the Tokyo Metropolitan Children’s Medical Center.
Eight staff members participated in the Instructor Course (training future instructors to conduct Provider Courses), and thirteen attended the Provider Course (learning pediatric resuscitation procedures), for a total of 21 staff members. Each participant approached the course with a strong sense of responsibility for supporting the future of medical care.
The staff on the Instructor Course first took the Provider Course. Using mannequins to simulate real-life scenarios, they practiced essential skills, including responding to deteriorating respiratory and circulatory conditions.
Sessions also included discussions on accident prevention and infectious diseases, encouraging participants to think critically and share ideas with their peers.
In addition, the Instructor Course covered effective methods for sharing knowledge, maintaining psychological safety in communication, and teaching techniques. Participants engaged in online lessons and group discussions with Japanese experts, providing opportunities to deepen their understanding.
From Learning to Teaching
On the final day, staff who completed the Instructor Course stepped into the role of instructors, teaching their peers who were attending the Provider Course.
Initially, some were unsure if they could handle this responsibility. However, as they began to verbalize the knowledge they had learned, their confidence grew. Their efforts to answer questions sincerely and to explain concepts clearly reflected the accumulation of learning over the previous two days.
Participants in the Provider Course were also proactive, asking questions and sharing opinions, creating a vibrant and interactive learning environment that transcended the traditional boundaries between “teacher” and “learner.”
Through the process of challenging themselves, collaborating with colleagues, and sharing knowledge, staff not only gained technical skills but also strengthened their ability to trust and support each other. Ultimately, each staff member came away with a tangible sense of contribution to the team, embodying the growth of the team.
Embracing Challenge and Growth for the New Hospital
Dr. Luxmei, who participated in the Instructor Course, shared:
“Through the Pediatric Resuscitation Course, I realized that adults cannot learn simply by being told what to do. Knowledge and skills are only truly acquired when we understand why and how learning benefits us.
This training has deepened my confidence in pediatric emergency care and made me feel that I could contribute as an instructor in the future.
I also learned from Japanese instructors about preparing props and creating an effective learning environment, which helped me further develop techniques to engage participants in discussions and deepen understanding.”
Dr. Mizuno, one of the Japanese instructors, commented:
“Thanks to the support of Dr. N. Shimizu, I am very pleased to have the opportunity to hold such a wonderful course together with Cambodian colleagues who worked with us on-site last year.
The enthusiasm and motivation of the Cambodian staff were remarkable. Their dedication stems from the deeply felt desire to save lives they once struggled to save.
In the future, Cambodian staff will be able to continue teaching as instructors, adapting the course content to local culture, and may even involve medical professionals from other facilities in Cambodia.
I hope this course can become a small ripple contributing to a better future for pediatric care in Cambodia.”
With just about two weeks remaining until the new hospital opens, both staff who begin working there and those continuing at the current facility are fully committed to their responsibilities. Each staff member’s challenge and growth will directly contribute to protecting the future of the children.
We hope many of you will continue to watch and support their journey.
A. Takahashi
Japan Heart Cambodia