Siem Reap's Kantha Bopha Children's Hospital, which has provided free medical treatment since 1998, has been transferred to the Ministry of Health, the Post has learned.

Formerly a private hospital run by the Kantha Bopha Foundation, the hospital will now be overseen by the government, according to a sub-decree signed by the Prime Minister on September 12.

"Jayavarman VII Hospital has one director and some deputy directors based on [need]. All processes at the office of the hospital must involve notification of the Minister of Health," the sub-decree said. The Kantha Bopha Foundation runs four other children's hospitals and previously has been estimated to treat 80 per cent of the country's pediatric patients.

Dr Denis Laurent, of Kantha Bopha Children's Hospitals, declined to comment on the transfer yesterday.