TBONG KHMUM: The Cambodia-China Friendship Hospital in Tbong Khmum province was officially inaugurated on Monday morning by Prime Minister Hun Sen, after more than 32 months of construction. The hospital was constructed with the help of a grant worth more than US $50 million from the People's Republic of China, and is one of the largest and most advanced general hospitals in Tbong Khmum province.

Located in Nikom Leu village, Sralop commune, Tbong Khmum district in Tbong Khmum province, the Cambodia-China Friendship Hospital has an emergency ward, a medical ward, an outpatient ward, an infectious disease ward, a supply ward, an electrical ward, and a morgue. This large hospital also has 25 consultation rooms, an imaging center to conduct procedures such as MRIs, CT scans, and gastroenterology tests, six operating rooms, 10 ICU rooms, and 300 beds for patients.

The Minister of Health, Mam Bunheng, spoke at the inauguration ceremony on Monday morning and said that this hospital is the second major construction project executed in Cambodia with a grant from the Chinese government, the first being the Cambodia-China Friendship Preah Kosomak hospital.

He added, "This new achievement is an invaluable and precious bond that emerges from the friendship, cooperation and comprehensive strategic partnership between the Royal Government of Cambodia and the Government of the People's Republic of China that is as strong as steel. This achievement was made for the people of Tbong Khmum and other Northeastern Provinces, which contributes significantly to the Royal Government's policy on universal health services, especially for the marginalized and minorities, ensuring no one is left without access to health care."

The hospital’s inauguration ceremony was attended by government officials, doctors, and members of the general public, with a total of about 700 people in attendance at the hospital site. Speaking with some of the attendees, they expressed happiness in receiving this new hospital as it will alleviate the hardships of traveling to far away hospitals to receive medical care.

The Deputy Chief of Phlong Village in Sralop Commune, Tbong Khmum District, Mao Kok, said that the establishment of an operational hospital in the province makes people happy because there is no need to travel faraway to receive health services.

He said, "In the past, it was difficult! We had to travel very far when someone has an illness, we have to go to Phnom Penh or Kampong Cham, but now our province has this kind of hospital; like Mondulkiri is close and so is Kratie, having a good doctor nearby makes things so much easier […] It helps a lot from the traveling to the extra expenses. We are close [to the hospital now], so it’s not so hard, we stay close, everything is close, traveling by road is easy, not difficult."

67-year-old San Serey, a resident of Peam Romiet village also in Sralop commune, said that when he was sick before, he would have to go all the way to Phnom Penh or even Vietnam to receive treatment.

"We have to spend a lot, everything was difficult, including the road, and it was very far. Very difficult for the family members who would follow to take care of me. It was difficult, but when now that the hospital is close, I’m happy. Thank you for helping us have a hospital so close by," he said.

According to Serey, every time he travels to Phnom Penh for medical treatment, he has to pay around 300,000 to 400,000 riel, or between 70 to 100 dollars, for travel and accommodation.

The hospital began construction on 1 March 2019, and was completed on 27 October 2021, with a total of eight buildings and five floors, with a height of 24 meters, in Nikom Leu village, Sralop commune, Tbong Khmum district, Tbong Khmum province. Additionally, the building covers an area of 55,814 square meters within a a total area of 75,570 square meters.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Prime Minister Hun Sen stated that the Tbong Khmum Cambodia-China Friendship Hospital is the largest and most capable hospital compared to other provinces, and will not only serve the people of Tbong Khmum province but also those living in neighboring provinces as well. He thanked the People's Republic of China for the help provided to build this hospital.

The Prime Minister also called on doctors to continue being conscientious and professional, to have good morals and a good attitude towards patients. He continued that in the context of Covid-19, people have dubbed doctors and frontline workers as ‘the White army’, so he hopes that they will continue to keep this name in mind while doing their work.