The construction site of the Cambodia-China Friendship Preah Kossamak Hospital in the capital’s Tuol Kork district last June. Heng Chivoan
Prime Minister Hun Sen has announced that two major hospitals built with the assistance of China at a cost of nearly $80 million will be officially inaugurated in March, with more expected to be constructed in the future.
Hun Sen made the remarks on February 7 during the inauguration of an upgraded 93.56km section of National Road 7 from Kratie province’s Kratie town to Sambor district.
This significant piece of infrastructure represents the third large scale project to be completed in recent months, along with the Cambodia-China Friendship Bridge connecting Kampong Cham to Thbong Khmum provinces and the Morodok Techo National Stadium.
“There are two major hospitals that will be opened in the near future, including the Tbong Khmum Cambodia-China Friendship Hospital, which will be inaugurated on March 7. The Cambodia-China Friendship Preah Kossamak Hospital will be inaugurated three weeks later,” he said.
The Tbong Khmum Cambodia-China Friendship Hospital – built with Chinese grants – took 32 months to complete. At 24,300sqm, it will have more than 300 beds. The hospital was built to the highest modern specifications and is equipped with the latest medical equipment.
It will serve as a regional hospital which is expected to cover the population of Tbong Khmum and some parts of Kratie, Stung Treng, Mondulkiri and Ratanakkiri provinces.
Tbong Khmum provincial health department director Keo Vannak told The Post on February 7 that while construction was completed, the hospital had not yet begun treating patients as the nearly 200 staffers were still undergoing training.
“People living around Tbong Khmum province will be able to seek treatment for many ailments here. The hospital is equipped with full surgical suites and will be able to handle all but the most serious illness and injuries,” said Vannak.
Construction of the Cambodia-China Friendship Preah Kossamak Hospital – also funded by China – was completed at the end of January. Larger than its sister hospital in Tbong Khmum – at 28,900sqm – it also contains state-of-the-art medical facilities with a helipad for air ambulance services on its roof.
