The Tbong Khmum Provincial Administration said the new Cambodia-China Friendship Hospital in the province is set to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Hun Sen in early March.

“Provincial governor Cheam Chan Sophorn and Yu Sun Long, minister attached to the prime minister, held a meeting to discuss the venue for inauguration ceremonies for the new hospital and the Techo Sen Tbong Khmum school in early March, to be presided over by the premier,” the administration said.

Ek Kheang, director of the hospital, said that ground was broken for the project on March 1, 2019 in a ceremony presided over by Hun Sen, so it would be fitting that the premier officially opens the hospital as well. Construction was completed on October 27 last year, using a $50 million grant from the Chinese government.

The five-story hospital is equipped with modern equipment for consultations, treatment and surgery. With 300 beds and more than 400 medical specialists, it will act as the regional hospital for Kratie, Ratanakkiri, Mondulkiri and Stung Treng provinces.

The Techo Sen Tbong Khmum school will also be put into official use at the same ceremony. The school teaches grades from primary to high school level, said In Pov Sambath, of the Tbong Khmum provincial education department.

He said the school has already been put into temporary use for all levels, with 557 students and 18 teachers. There are two buildings used for study, each of which has three floors with a total of 36 classrooms. There are also two administrative buildings as well as teacher accommodation, he said.

There is not exact date set as Prime Minister Hun Sen is placing himself in quarantine for a ‘short period of time’ after having been directly exposed to the coronavirus.

“Because I have had direct contact with people who were Covid-positive, I must enter quarantine for a short period of time,” he said in a Facebook post on February 25.

While in quarantine, he will perform his usual work, as he did during his previous isolation. He said he currently has a busy schedule that includes some events next week. These events have not been cancelled, as he hopes to end his quarantine period soon.

He said he will undergo several tests to ensure that he has not contracted the virus before ending his self-isolation.