Prime Minister Hun Sen on May 23 expressed his appreciation for the rapid improvement of the Kingdom’s health sector, as he inaugurated the multi-purpose Techo Aphivadh building – a specialist unit – at Calmette Hospital in Phnom Penh.
He said the new state-of-the art facility was the result of the government’s efforts and the participation of philanthropists.
“The construction of medical facilities that save lives and offer treatment helps Cambodia build the trust of the diplomatic staff who are working here, as well as investors and tourists, and all of the other guests we welcome,” he said.
According to the prime minister, the cost of the building’s construction was more than $70.3 million. An additional $11.3 million had been spent on medical equipment, so the facility cost a total of almost $85 million.
“We now have an excellent hospital, which is an admirable achievement. Now comes the challenging part; we need excellent doctors, with professional knowledge and ethics,” he said.
“The professional ethics of doctors are of the utmost importance, as they have the power to save human lives. They must be steered by the highest moral code of conduct,” he added.
He reiterated calls for all medical workers to remember the hard-won reputation as “soldiers in white” that their compatriots earned during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, and urged them not to tarnish it.
Minister of Health Mam Bun Heng noted that the facility, which was begun in March 2018, featured the use of the latest medical technology and would provide modern services in line with the current global evolution, which is also the expectation of the Cambodian people.
“This is another great achievement that the health ministry and Calmette Hospital have made together. It will contribute to achieving the Cambodia health vision 2030, meaning we will have a resilient health system and improved coverage that ensures all Cambodians are safe and have access to good healthcare,” he said.
Bun Heng said the Techo Aphivadh Building is capable of providing services to about 250,000 patients per year. It will also become a training centre for medical students, and its digital systems mean it will become a valuable research tool.
“The building’s equipment was imported from Germany and the US, and it has 465 patient beds and 10 surgical theatres. The equipment brings together all of the major medical and surgical specialties, including an emergency department of modern multidisciplinary obstetrics,” he added.
The 12-storey building, located on Monivong Blvd, was built to French technical standards.
