The Centre of Hope Friendship Clinics have issued a request to Prime Minister Hun Sen, asking him to authorise the reopening of three of its clinics which were shuttered last week, citing a large number of its patients that suffer from high blood pressure, diabetes and heart disease, and needed medication on a regular basis.
The request came in a May 22 statement on the closure of the Centre of Hope Friendship Clinic, the Chaktomuk Friendship Hospital and the Pochentong Friendship Hospital.
The statement said that the three hospitals had operated legally since 2021, and received almost 90,000 patients a year.
“The healthcare provided by these hospitals is of good quality, and affordable. We also provide discounts to impoverished patients, and are concerned that they would be unable to access quality healthcare if we cannot reopen. In addition, around 250 staff members are waiting to return to work, as they rely on their salaries to support their families,” it added.
“We request that the Ministry of Health allow us to reopen as soon as because our patients with high blood pressure, diabetes and heart disease need regular medication. We implore Prime Minister Hun Sen, the founder of peace, to kindly offer us assistance and intervene and allow us to return to work,” it went on.
The statement acknowledged that the three hospitals had been preparing to update their reporting systems and transfer or update the medical licenses of its staff, in line with the health ministry’s requirements. Unfortunately they were closed before the work could be completed.
It added that they had always adhered to the laws and regulations that were in effect, and followed the advice of the relevant authorities.
“We are very sorry for this unintentional administrative mistake. We would like to emphasise that no patients or clients were endangered or placed at risk because of professional misconduct, administrative errors, or the medical techniques of our clinics,” it concluded.
Or Vandine, health ministry spokeswoman, could not be reached for comment on May 24.
The health ministry shuttered the three premises last week, saying the closures were the result of the clinics not having qualified medics on the premises and a lack of reporting to the ministry.
Minister of Health Mam Bun Heng noted at the time that the ministry had shut down some private clinics that failed to follow regulations, or had committed technical infractions; and that the ministry would continue to inspect other private medical facilities across the nation.
