The Ministry of Health has issued orders to temporarily close Deum Angkrong Clinic and Maternity located along National Road 3 in Ang Popel commune of Kampong Speu province’s Kong Pisei district while it investigates a stillbirth incident at the private clinic.

"The temporary closure … is to study and investigate the incident of a stillbirth abortion," read the order signed by ministry secretary of state Or Vandine on November 29.

Provincial health department director Hok Kry told The Post that officials had visited the clinic to investigate the case of Soeun Srey Oun, a 22-year-old woman living in Anlong Romiet village and commune of Kandal province’s Kandal Stung district. She was admitted to the clinic on November 10 and diagnosed with an 18-week-old stillbirth.

"The clinic's doctors performed an abortion and removed the stillborn baby and the patient stayed overnight at the clinic and was then discharged on November 11. On November 22, the patient returned to the same clinic with severe lower abdominal pain and its medical staff then cleaned the uterus again," he said.

Kry said that due to Srey Oun’s serious condition, the clinic referred her to a Phnom Penh hospital for additional treatment. He denied local media reports that Srey Oun had died, confirming that she was now receiving intensive care at Calmette Hospital in Phnom Penh.