A patient in the trauma ward at Thmar Puok Hospital in Banteay Meanchey Province recovers from a ...

A patient in the trauma ward at Thmar Puok Hospital in Banteay Meanchey Province recovers from a gun shot wound in his side. Gun shot injuries account for approximately 15 percent of Cambodia's trauma injuries each year and are a sign, not just of continuing political conflict, but of the manner in which violence has permeated Cambodian society. Some terrified patients had armed themselves against bandits who had recently raided the hospital, stealing valuables and drugs, but were equally terrified of being operated on by untrained staff.