Health minister Mam Bun Heng visits a woman and her newborn at the Korea-funded maternity ward in Battambang on May 18. BATTAMBANG HEALTH DEPARTMENT
The Ministry of Health renewed its call for officials to pay attention to the examination and treatment of patients with ethics, professionalism and equity, regardless of their political affiliations.
Minister Mam Bun Heng made the call during the May 18 inauguration of the maternity and infant care building at Battambang Provincial Referral Hospital. The facility was constructed with the assistance of South Korea, through the Korea Foundation for International Health Care (KOFIH).
Bun Heng said this assistance to the people of Battambang was very significant, as the building is equipped with a wide scope of modern equipment to meet the needs of the people.
“I urge all health officials to pay equal attention to the examination and treatment of people with health problems with ethics, professionalism and equity, regardless of political affiliation, creed or colour. Health officials must have good hearts and behave with professional responsibility,” he said.
Bun Heng added that officials should pay special attention to the poor, the elderly, women, children and those who faced difficulties and needed assistance.
The government, he said, has strived to bring services closer to the people by establishing new health centres and hospitals, and improving health infrastructure.
“This maternity and infant care building will be used efficiently and will help people to avoid unauthorised treatment by people who are not recognised by health authorities. I do not want to see or hear about pregnant women putting themselves in danger or risking loss of life because they could not access appropriate and timely medical services,” he said.
South Korean ambassador to Cambodia Park Heung-kyeong said the ministry and KOFIH have been working closely together for a decade to implement maternal, infant and child healthcare in the northwest, including Battambang, Pursat and Pailin provinces.
He said about 1.7 million people in the region would benefit from the programme, including women and new-borns.
“Through this initiative, we have seen steady progress, including more mothers delivering their babies safely and more new-borns receiving appropriate, timely treatment in the region,” said Heung-kyeong.
The ambassador added that the building will play an important part in providing better quality services to many mothers and babies.
The maternity and maternity building has two floors and a capacity of up to 70 beds. The building is divided by its main services and includes a neonatal ward, two operating theatres, two maternity rooms and five patient wards.
