Four Cambodian and two French hospitals have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on medical science and human resource development.
The MoU includes medical equipment deliveries, as well as the referral of patients to France for treatment.
Minister of Health Mam Bun Heng presided over the April 18 signing ceremony between the two French university hospitals – Toulouse-Purpan and Clermont-Ferrand – and the four Cambodian hospitals Cambodia-China Friendship Preah Kossamak, Preah Ang Duong, and the Battambang and Kampong Cham provincial referral hospitals.
Tan Sokun, director of the Cambodia-China Friendship Preah Kossamak Hospital, said following the signing ceremony that the MoU focused on four goals. First, it involves human resource development, through the exchange of Cambodian students and medical teams. Second, it provides Cambodia with medical equipment. Third, Cambodia can refer complicated cases to the French hospitals. Fourth, Cambodia can invite French doctors to Cambodian hospitals.
“These four points will provide much needed advances in medical science, as we need to build relationships with specialist hospitals,” he added.
Tan Sokun stated that the signing of the MoU was initiated by Interior Minister Sar Kheng, who received medical treatment in France.
“Following his successful treatment, he asked us if we had secured any MoUs with French hospitals. We had not and we asked him for his assistance to develop our contacts in France,” he explained.
Following the signing, several French doctors are expected to visit the Kingdom. The Purpan university hospital is well-known for its ear, nose and throat specialists.
