Japanese ambassador Ueno Atsushi (right) and health minister Chheang Ra (second from right) attend the January 22 handover ceremony of 29 medical incinerators. Health ministry
The first cooperation project to be carried out since the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between Cambodia and Japan came into effect took place on January 22, when the embassy of Japan presented 29 medical incinerators to the Ministry of Health.
The incinerators will each be installed at a separate hospital, across 10 provinces.
The handover ceremony was attended by Ueno Atsushi, ambassador of Japan, and Minister of Health Chheang Ra.
According to Ueno, the grant was part of the “Project for the Improvement of Infectious Waste Management” with a total funding value of 436 million Japanese Yen (over $2.7 million).
The project was signed by then-Prime Minister Hun Sen and former Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio in November 2022, in Phnom Penh.
“I am glad that the project has proceeded smoothly and the 29 incinerators can be handed over to minister Ra today,” he said.
He recalled how in 2022, during the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, Cambodia had a lot of infectious waste, which was becoming problematic. Japan identified the issue then, and agreed to provide the incinerators.
“Although I understand that Cambodia was very successful in managing the Covid-19 pandemic, I hope that the 29 incinerators in the 29 hospitals will contribute to safe healthcare provision and will help Cambodia in the event of severe situations in the future,” said Ueno.
The ambassador hoped that the incinerators will be used appropriately and properly maintained, and that they will improve residents’ trust in their local hospitals as well as contribute to the expansion of healthcare services in the provinces.
Ueno noted that Japan is currently implementing several projects relating to the health sector. Japan aims to continue contributing to the development of the health sector in Cambodia, especially regarding the provision of medical services in the provinces.
According to the health ministry, the ten hospitals that will be equipped with the incinerators are in Banteay Meanchey, Battambang, Kampong Chhnang, Kampong Cham, Kampot, Kandal, Kratie, Prey Veng, Siem Reap and Svay Rieng.
The incinerators are capable of burning infectious waste, organic waste, sharp objects and other medical waste.
Minister Ra appreciated the donation, saying that it would contribute to the reduction of the spread of disease, and reduce drug resistance, cutting the length of time patients are hospitalised for, and making treatment more effective.
He also lauded the project as a reflection of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries.
