Cho Ray- Phnom Penh Hospital symbolises Vietnam-Cambodia friendship

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and a high-ranking Vietnamese delegation visited Cho Ray Phnom Penh Hospital on November 9, with the site being a symbol of the strong traditional friendship that exists between both sides.

During the course of the meeting with hospital leaders, PM Chinh hailed the great efforts of doctors and hospital staff in containing the COVID-19 outbreak in Cambodia in April, 2020, as well as conducting charity medical examination and treatment for poor patients in Cambodia. This includes Cambodians of Vietnamese origin, whilst successfully fulfilling all tasks as practical contributions to spurring Cambodia’s further socio-economic development.

Furthermore, the hospital has also helped to connect Vietnamese and Cambodian doctors and professors to come together to share experience and exchange medical expertise.

PM Chinh therefore affirmed that these outstanding and important results have both contributed to the health care work for the Cambodian people and contributed to consolidating and tightening the traditional friendship ties between the two nations.

He also shared a range of difficulties and hardships faced by Vietnamese doctors and medical staff in a working environment away from the country, with numerous differences in terms of culture and language.

The Vietnamese Government chief went on to express his wish that, with the tradition of solidarity and inherent closeness through many historical ups and downs, the relationship of "good neighbourliness, traditional friendship, comprehensive and long-term sustainable cooperation" between both sides will constantly be strengthened and developed, including in health co-operation.

The presence of a modern hospital boasting a team of qualified Vietnamese medical professionals, doctors, and high-quality services in Cambodia is therefore not only the pride of the Vietnamese medical industry, but also one of the bright spots in the overall co-operation and investment activities of Vietnam in Cambodia. This thereby greatly contributes to tightening the friendship that exists between the two nations.

PM Chinh went on to urge investors, medical staff, and doctors working at the hospital to go ahead and make greater efforts, show greater determination, and take more drastic actions to overcome future challenges, whilst better completing the noble tasks in the spirit of putting people's health and life first and foremost.

Regarding the recommendations made by the hospital, the Vietnamese cabinet leader acknowledged the suggestions and will assign relevant ministries and agencies to study carefully them. In line with this, they will soon come up with appropriate solutions and provide early feedback to hospital leaders in order to facilitate the hospital’s operations towards bringing about mutual benefits in the time ahead.

The same day,  PM Chinh visited Metfone, an affiliate of the Viettel Military Industry and Telecoms Group. He applauded the firm's effective business operations over the past 13 years, as well as its active engagement in social welfare activities, including those to care for Vietnamese-origin Cambodians, which has contributed to the friendship between the two countries.

Launched in 2009, Metfone has become the top telecommunications brand in Cambodia with over 9 million customers, holding 41.7% of the local market share. Its mobile network has covered 99% of Cambodia's population. The firm has created jobs for nearly 30,000 employees.

He urged the firm to continue expanding its operation, improving service quality and increasing revenue, and further increasing the value of the Metfone trademark not only in Cambodia but also in the region.

The Vietnamese Government leader said he hopes Metfone will make greater contributions to fostering the Vietnam-Cambodia friendship, promoting the tradition of Vietnamese military as well as the image of Uncle Ho’s soldiers in the Fourth Industrial Revolution era in Cambodia.