Phnom Penh (FN), Mar. 15 – Cambodian Minister of Economy and Finance Aun Pornmoniroth received the privilege of Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet, as a signatory to the Royal Government at the signing ceremony with Chief Representative of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in Cambodia Sanui Kazumasa on the extension of a Yen Loan for JPY 21,104 million (around USD 141 million) to implement the Regional Hospital Development Project.

The signing ceremony was held on 14 March 2024 at the Ministry of Economy and Finance.

The Regional Hospital Development Project is one of the priority projects, marking the first initiative under the Japan Official Development Assistance (ODA) Yen Loan framework approved by the Ministry of Economy and Finance. It is a collaborative effort between Ministry of Economy and Finance, the Ministry of Health and the JICA in Cambodia. This project aims to enhance access to advanced medical services in rural area and mitigate the gap in healthcare provision between capitals and provinces, as well as improving the health of the rural population, which aligned with the third Sustainable Development (SDG 3) of ensuring health and well-being for all citizens.

Seven provincial/municipal referral hospitals, including Siem Reap, Kampong Cham, Battambang, Kampot, Stung Treng, Svay Rieng and Phnom Penh, were selected to study the feasibility study for the development phase 1.

As a result, Siem Reap and Kampong Cham Provincial Referral Hospitals were selected to study the feasibility of the development of a regional hospital in this first phase.

Overall, the development projects of Siem Reap and Kampong Cham Provincial Hospitals are as follows:

- Kampong Cham Province receives construction of two new eight-storey hospital buildings, accommodating a total of 608 beds.

- Siem Reap Province receives construction of two new eight-storey and five-storey hospital buildings, accommodating a total of 697 beds.

- Medical equipment for hospitals in both provinces and integrating drug dispensing and medical equipment/supply modules into hospital information and patient management systems.

Minister Aun Pornmoniroth thanked the Government of Japan as an important development partner and all relevant agencies of the Government of Japan for always providing good cooperation, especially through the JICA, who has continued to provide ODA financing, which is in response to one of the six priority policy programs of the Royal Government. This support aligns with the government's efforts towards Global Health Coverage programs and the implementation of the Pentagonal Strategy - Phase 1, as shown in Side 3 of Pentagon 1: Improvements of People’s Health and Well-being.
=FRESH NEWS