China-aided hospital inaugurated in eastern Cambodia. (PHOTO: XINHUA)

By TANG Zhexiao

Constructed with a grant from China, a landmark modern hospital in Cambodia's eastern province of Tboung Khmum officially began operation on March 7.

    The Cambodia -China Friendship Tboung Khmum Hospital started to build in 2019 by the China Railway Construction Group Co. Ltd. It has a construction area of 24,000 square meters and a capacity of 300 beds, being divided into different wards such as outpatient, emergency and imaging.

    As the the largest modern general hospital with the highest level of medical care in Tboung Khmum, it serves as a central hospital for locals in the eastern and northeastern regions of Cambodia, providing more convenient medical care for people who previously had to travel to Phnom Penh for medical treatment.

    Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen said the hospital was another testament to the fruitful cooperation between Cambodia and China under the frameworks of the comprehensive strategic partnership and the community with a shared future.

    Hun Sen thanked the Chinese government and people for their assistance to Cambodia. "Such a huge hospital had never been available in Cambodia's provinces before," said the Prime Minister. "It is the largest modern hospital in Cambodia's provinces, apart from in the capital Phnom Penh."

    With the assistance of medical supplies and equipment, and technologies from China, people would enjoy quality medical care services, said Eng Kheang, director of the Cambodia-China Friendship Hospital.

    Speaking during the hospital's inauguration ceremony, Chinese Ambassador to Cambodia, Wang Wentian said the hospital was emblematic of China-Cambodia friendship and would play an important role in safeguarding the lives and well-being of the people.

    Wang said that China would be sending the world's first state-level medical team of traditional Chinese medicine to Cambodia, to share experience and provide assistance for COVID-19 prevention.

    According to Wang, a new batch of vaccines will be donated to Cambodia as soon as possible to support the Cambodian government's efforts to vaccinate children. Cambodia has started COVID -19 vaccinations for three and four year olds using China's Sinovac vaccine in February.