Cambodia-China Friendship Preah Kossamak Hospital in Phnom Penh. Heng Chivoan
Minister of Health Chheang Ra has suggested that the National Health Commission of China (NHC) review several priority projects that will expand bilateral health cooperation between the two nations.
Ra made the proposals during his October 17 meeting with NHC vice-minister Cao Xuetao in Beijing, according to a ministry social media post.
The minister noted the significant development of relations between the two nations since diplomatic ties were established in 1958. He thanked the Chinese government and people for their strong support through many assistance programmes, especially in the health sector.
“In the past, the Chinese side has supported many projects in Cambodia, including the Preah Kossamak [in Phnom Penh] and Tbong Khmum Cambodia-China Friendship Hospitals [in Tbong Khmum province]. They have also provided ambulances, mobile clinics and medical equipment, while many Chinese specialists were on hand to assist during the Covid-19 outbreak in Cambodia,” said the post.
Ra suggested that the Chinese support several of the ministry’s current projects, including the establishment of a cardiovascular operating room at the Preah Kossamak Hospital and the transformation of Luang Mae Hospital, also in the capital, into a specialist cancer treatment facility, along with upgrades to the Preah Sihanouk Provincial Referral Hospital, and renovations to several health centres in the coastal province.
In addition, he asked China to assist with the construction of a new building at the Takeo Provincial Referral Hospital, as well as the ministry’s efforts to combat the transmission of dengue fever through specialised training for healthcare staff and community education programmes.
Cao confirmed that the Chinese side will review each of the suggested projects, and pledged to continue strengthening cooperation with the ministry.
“We sincerely hope that cooperation between China and Cambodia in the field of health will reach an even higher level,” he said.
Nuth Sambath, president of the Royal Academy of Cambodia’s Institute of Medicine, Biology and Agriculture, expressed his support for the ministry’s proposals to promote further international cooperation, especially with the Chinese. He noted that China has always supported Cambodia, under all circumstances.
“Close, effective international cooperation will improve our health sector. Along with the requests put forward by the minister, I think we need to strengthen our human resources – in terms of knowledge, professional ethics and practical skills – in order to utilise the other areas of cooperation more effectively,” he told The Post on October 18.
