An artist’s rendition of the University of Health Science (UHS) Teaching Hospital Project in Phnom Penh. - HEERIM
PHNOM PENH (The Phnom Penh Post/Asia News Network): Cambodia is planning to build a National Teaching Hospital that will improve the public health system and produce more medical professionals of a higher calibre, according to the Ministry of Health.
This was revealed in a two-minute video posted on the ministry’s official Facebook page on May 20, which noted that the facility – also called the University of Health Sciences (UHS) Teaching Hospital – would be the first of its kind in the kingdom, and linked it to the National Development Plan.
Seoul-based Heerim Architects & Planners Co Ltd, a company working on the project, says the establishment will be located in Phnom Penh and is scheduled to be completed in 2025 – or at least the phases that concern the firm.
According to the video, the seven-storey-tall hospital will be fitted with state-of-the-art equipment, provide medical and clinical services, and use systematic training programmes to educate future healthcare professionals.
The facility will initially have a capacity of 200 beds, with the potential to increase that to 400 down the line, and feature practice rooms as well as separate wards for stroke patients and those with infectious diseases.
The roof and entrances may also be fashioned in a style reminiscent of ancient Buddhist or Khmer temples.
The video did not specify a timeline for the hospital’s development, however. Health ministry secretary of state Or Vandine could not be reached for comment by press time.
Yong Kim Eng, director of the People’s Centre for Development and Peace, opined that if the vision for the National Teaching Hospital is followed, the establishment could genuinely be beneficial and crucial for society, and, to some extent, improve the abilities of healthcare professionals and foster greater public trust.
But he cautioned that paying close attention and maintaining control are essential to guaranteeing the project’s success.
“Every practical step must be taken to increase people’s confidence in the quality. [I] hope that the facility will assist medical professionals in learning new skills and sharing emerging technologies that could better save lives,” he said.
Health minister Mam Bun Heng on May 18 reported that 5,953 students are enrolled at the UHS for the 2022-2023 academic year, and that 3,401 of them are women.
Of the total, 444 students earned scholarships from the Royal Government, while 86 more students – all majoring in specialised fields – received scholarships directly from Prime Minister Hun Sen, he said.
