Press Rlease: Korea to build Eye Hospital in Cambodia

Phnom Penh: Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and the Ministry of Health will launch a ceremony to sign the Record of Discussion (R/D) of the Project for the Establishment of Preah Ang Duong Eye Hospital in Phnom Penh on Friday, December 02, 2011 at the office of the Ministry of Health to kick off the construction of the 52-bed Eye Hospital and medical equipment for eye care.

The R/D will be signed by H.E. Dr. MAM Bunheng, Minister of Health, and Dr. Shin Eui Cheol, Representative of KOICA Cambodia Office with the honorable presences of H.E. Dr. Yim Chhay Ly, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Council for Agricultural and Rural Development (CARD), and H.E. Chang Ho-jin, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to the Kingdom of Cambodia.

According to the R/D, the project will be implemented for 3 years from 2011 to 2013 with the total budget of 5.5 million USD. In line with health strategic plan, and the Cambodia’s National Plan for Prevention of Blindness, the project aim at achieving 3 objectives: (1) to improve the capacity of ophthalmic research and medical services in Preah Ang Duong Eye Hospital by providing assistance in upgrading the facilities and equipment, (2) to contribute to blind prevention rates and improvement in general eye care services of the population in Phnom Penh and its surrounding areas, in line with Cambodia’s National Plan for Prevention of Blindness, and (3) to contribute to the strengthening of public health sector of Cambodia by sharing Korean expertise and practices.

On top of that, KOICA will support the project in cooperation with KIM’s eye hospital, one of the Korea’s finest hospitals specializing in eye care. KIM’s eye hospital will provide technical transfer during and after the completion of the project. For that, MoU for further cooperation is supposed be concluded between MOH and KIM’s eye hospital in the near future. This type of modality, called Public Private Partnership (PPP), will ensure the aid effectiveness and the sustainability of the project.

Be noted that before this project, KOICA has provided 5 projects related to health sector: [1] the Research for the Prevention of Infectious Diseases in 6 ASEAN Countries, including Cambodia, [2] the Establishment of the Modern Hospital for Children in Phnom Penh, [3] the Establishment of Korea-Cambodia Friendship Hospital in Kampong Chhnang province, [4] the Project for the Strengthening Capacity of Batheay Referral Hospital in Batheay District of Kampong Cham Province, and [5] the project for capacity building of Siem Reap Provincial Hospital.

Additional Information: About KOICA

The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) was founded as a government agency in 1991, to maximize the effectiveness of Korea's grant aid programs for developing countries by implementing the government's grant aid and technical cooperation programs.

KOICA aims to make a better world by helping to achieve the MDGs and promoting equitable and sustainable development in our partner countries. KOICA also seeks to actively participate in the global efforts to enhance the capacity of nations and Individuals to overcome poverty and improve their quality of life.

In Cambodia, KOICA has its country assistance strategy that helps Royal Government of Cambodia achieve its national development goals, by integrating the strategy with Cambodia’s National Strategic Development Plan, and the government’s Rectangle Strategy. KOICA focuses on 4 priority sectors—rural and agriculture development, health, education, and infrastructure.