The Kampong Thom provincial health department, in cooperation with South Korea’s Chungcheongbuk-do province Volunteer Doctors’ Association, has announced three days of free medical treatment from August 11 to 13.

South Korean medics will offer general treatment, as well as specialised mouth and dental, stomach, coelioscopy, gynecology, pediatric, ophthalmology, acupuncture and blood tests for free at the Kampong Thom Provincial Referral Hospital, said the provincial administration.

Its statement explained that the services would be provided to the general public on August 11 and 12, with August 13 reserved for consultations and treatment for civil servants, members of the armed forces and their families.

Provincial health department director Srey Sin noted that this was not the first time that the people of the province had been able to access free healthcare from foreign medical staff, but it was the first time South Korean volunteers had offered their services there.

“In the past, people in the province have been examined and treated by volunteer doctors from the US and Singapore,” he said.

He added that no special conditions would be applied to the free treatment, saying they want as many people as possible to have access to the specialist skills of the Korean doctors.

“Of course, the main benefit is that Cambodian citizens will receive high-quality healthcare, but the event will also strengthen the relationship between South Korea and Cambodia. It is also a fantastic opportunity for the medical officials of Kampong Thom to exchange experiences with their Korean counterparts,” he said.