- My respects
to:
- Venerable Buddhist
Monks,
- Doctor Beat
Richner,
- Your Excellencies,
Members of the Royal Government,
- Your Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen, Distinguished National and
International Guests,
-
- I would like to
express my respects to Your Excellencies, Ladies and
Gentlemen, to all who are attending this ceremony.
Today, I have the great pleasure of attending with the
Supreme Buddhist Patriarch, Samdech Bhodivong and
other Venerable Monks, Your Excellencies, Ladies and
Gentlemen, the ground breaking ceremony for the
construction of the Kantha Bopha I Hospital expansion.
I am delighted to sincerely praise the efforts of Dr.
Beat Richner who has been actively contributing to the
development of the two Kantha Bopha Hospitals and the
Jayavarman VII Hospital since 1992, that have become
modern hospitals serving the welfare of Cambodian
children and mothers. The Kantha Bopha Hospitals have
come through many critical milestones and are poised
for new activities, with full of hope and
assurance.
-
- On behalf of the
Royal Government and people of Cambodia, may I express
our profound gratitude to Dr. Beat Richner and the
generous Swiss people for their direct involvement in
improving the health sector in Cambodia, thus
improving the living conditions of our Cambodian
children. Your support is of great significance for
Cambodia's development, and the assistance so far
provided to us is invaluable and has been used very
effectively.
-
- We all are aware
that every citizen has a right to equal access to
health care services. With this position, I set out to
promote the implementation of the objectives and
targets of the Royal Government of Cambodia's health
strategy, aimed at providing every Cambodian citizen,
in both urban and rural areas, with access to high
quality health care.
-
- Certainly this
ambition can be achieved by our collective and unified
efforts with the contribution from the international
community and public institutions, thus making
progress towards reclaiming our own destiny and in
attaining new achievements with the support of our
development partners. In this sense, the ground
breaking ceremony today to construct new buildings at
the Kantha Bopha I Hospital is indeed another
testimony. The expansion of the Kantha Bopha I
requires US$ 2.5 million. I believe this hospital will
be a great architectural achievement, equipped with
modern facilities and qualified staff, and thus
actively contribute to the development of the health
sector in Phnom Penh. I would like to take this
opportunity to express our gratitude and appreciation
for the patriotic and generous gesture of Oknha KIT
Meng, who has granted long-term use of the land to
Kantha Bopha I, in order to reduce difficulties and
help the lives of Cambodian children.
-
- Cambodia is now at
peace, with political, social and economic stability,
which was not the case before. Moreover, democracy has
become more deeply rooted from day to day, which, in
turn, has solidly strengthened public
order.
-
- More than at any
other time before, Cambodia's people throughout the
land express their optimism and renew their
commitments, with full dynamism, motivation and strong
determination, toward achieving new successes, while
the pillars of Cambodian society will be gradually
improved and strengthened. Thus, people entertain the
hope of taking charge of their own future with
confidence and happiness. Moreover, the people of
Cambodia can have a clearer long-term view of building
for the future with hope and strong determination. All
these points I observe to be factually reflected in
the good results of our reforms in all the sectors of
the Royal Government, which is being further
strengthened and enhanced.
-
- In this favorable
environment, the Royal Government will continue to
focus on social development, especially the
improvement of highly effective health services.
Specifically, in the first cabinet meeting of the
Third Legislature on July 16, 2004, I set out the
Rectangular Strategy for Growth, Employment, Equity
and Efficiency in Cambodia. One side of the strategy
is to promote social and economic development through
a comprehensive reform program of the health
sector.
-
- Our health policy
is built upon the provision of health care and
medication to people through the improved quality and
safety of health services, as well as strengthened
management capacity in health care establishments.
With this policy, we intend to improve the provision
of public health aimed at creating adequate conditions
for the admission of all patients without
discrimination and in keeping with their right to
health care.
-
- Indeed, we cannot
achieve the above targets unless the admission
capacity and facilities of hospitals are improved.
Thus, I strongly believe that Kantha Bopha I will
indeed contribute to this effort in improving the
technical skills and standards for all hospitals in
Cambodia.
-
- As we all are
aware, identification of strategies and targets and
the availability in terms of infrastructure and
medication are not enough to reach the defined targets
without the participation of qualified and motivated
staff. Thus, I always give special attention to the
importance of health personnel education and training,
as well as to the improvement of working and living
conditions for them.
-
- Indeed, actions to
develop a public health system of high quality are
integral to an overall economic system. In this sense,
improvement of the health system will actually
contribute to national development.
-
- Nevertheless, we
are facing many other challenges, in addition to
improving the delivery of health services, such as the
fight against malaria, HIV/AIDS and other diseases, as
well as reducing infant and maternal mortality. With
such multi-facetted challenges, we shall address the
issues primarily with our own resources and capacity,
giving special importance to the prevention of
communicable diseases as a core element in the
implementation of our health policy, while cooperating
with our development partners.
-
- To this end, the
Royal Government of Cambodia's health strategy
includes the following: the provision of basic health
care for everyone, decentralization of financial and
administrative functions, human resources development
and special attention to the crack down and prevention
of infectious diseases, as well as strengthening IT in
the health sector.
-
- Supreme Buddhist
Patriarch and Venerable Monks, Your Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen, please allow me to take this
opportunity to express and extend my gratitude to the
Supreme Buddhist Patriarch and Venerable Monks for
their support to the health sector including the
Supreme Buddhist Patriarch's new concepts of Sangha
Koma in accordance with Buddhism and secular
sectors.
-
- I agree with what
Dr. Beat Richner has stated. This issue has been
created in the last a few years by a number of
experts, not by the international community. However,
some experts often use improper words in referring to
Kantha Bopha I Hospital and Dr. Beat Richner as well
as his colleagues. The words offend not only Kantha
Bopha I Hospital and Dr. Beat Richner but also the
right of Cambodia to development and equality with
other advanced countries. They say that Cambodia is
poor and therefore the treatment procedures in Kantha
Bopha Hospital are not applicable, are inappropriate.
I agree with Dr. Beat Richner that we don't step
backward.
-
- All people on this
planet regardless of skin color are entitled to access
the same health services. The most ridiculous thing is
that their idea of the right to access health services
involves discrimination and classification of
countries as affluent or poor, while they want us to
implement the standards of democracy like countries
that have been practicing democracy for hundreds of
years. This is not acceptable. They should understand
that every human being, rich or poor, from the East or
West, white, yellow or black, is entitled to access
the same health services. They should not have the
idea that western countries whose people have white
skin and long noses receive this quality of lactate or
dextrose, while the poor in Cambodia or Laos, for
example, receive this other type of lactate or
dextrose. This is not acceptable.
-
- So I agree with Dr.
Beat Richner, who has opposed to the philosophy of a
group of people that we should not create a need for
such medical treatment for poor people whose need had
not been met before and that we should wait for
Cambodia to reach a higher development level before
modernizing medical practice here. That attitude is
wrong, wrong in terms of morality, professionalism,
politics and economics. Hence, I really agree (with
Dr. Beat Richner). I don't need to talk about
morality, politics and economics; I am only talking
about the professional principles of medicine, with
which I am not familiar.
-
- Say, after
examination, a medical practitioner finds that an
antibiotic is needed, but aspirin is provided instead.
The patient will have a problem! I totally disagree
and this problem shall be ended in Cambodia within
this term. While I was just whispering H.E. NUTH
Sokhom, Dr. Beat Richner said it would be a new policy
for a new minister in the government of an old prime
minister. It doesn't matter. You can shake hands with
each other now (clapping). In the past few years, I
always asked H.E. MAM Bunheng and H.E. HENG Tai Kry to
work closely with Dr. Beat Richner in order to
increase the capacity and to assist these hospitals. I
also discussed the matter with the Swiss government
and in the past few months, the Swiss Ambassador to
Cambodia traveled from Bangkok to discuss the issue of
the hospital operation with me.
-
- One night I also
brought my grandchild to this Kantha Bopha Hospital
and left at about 1:30 a.m. Sadly, some of the
children who were admitted into the hospital were
lying in beds, while others were lying on the floor
and outside the ward. We will perceive the problem
differently, unless we experience it personally.
-
- Yet, nothing is
more worrisome than our ill children or grandchildren
(in terms of father and grandfather) not in terms of
political responsibility as prime minister. A father
or grandfather feels strongly the emotions and shock,
much more even than being shocked by B-52 bombers, and
that's really a shock.
-
- Previously, these
doctors took care of my children, and now they are
treating my children's children. Dr. TRY Kruy, Dr.
YITH Sondara, Dr. Samol and other pediatricians used
to treat their mothers and now they are treating their
children. And nothing is more distressing than our ill
children or grandchildren. So I called Dr. NUTH Sokhom
to tell him that we had to strengthen and assist the
Kantha Bopha Hospitals and at the same time strengthen
our pediatric hospital. Today, the ambassador of the
Republic of Korea to Cambodia, who has planned to
assist the pediatric hospital, will be prompted to
accelerate his activity (laughing).
-
- I would also like
to ensure that General Headquarters in Phnom Penh will
be transformed into a hospital. This process of
transformation has been in place since H.E. MAM Song
Huot was in his office there. Now, you incoming
minister, secretaries of State, keep in mind that when
the Phnom Penh General Headquarters is moved out of
Phnom Penh, the building will be turned into a
hospital. I have already sent my proposal to Japan and
if there is no reply from Japan, we will ask Dr. Beat
Richner instead (clapping). I would like to reduce the
military force in the city and turn this city into a
city of well-being, culture, tourism, commerce,
economy, etc. The General Headquarters was built
during the period of French colonization for war
reasons before I was born. Now, I would like to change
the situation by turning this General Headquarters
into a hospital. When will the new General
Headquarters be completed? At the end of this year. We
are in the process of moving. The sale of this (old
General Headquarters building) is not allowed.
-
- This building
belongs to the Ministry of Health. Hospitals and other
facilities will be under the supervision of the
Ministry of Health, and we will send our request for
grant assistance from Japan. We have also sent a
proposal worth US$ 36 millions to Japan. I
believe that Japan will approve because Japan has
allocated US$ 1500 million to countries in the
Mekong Sub-region. Dr. Richner, do not consider this
unless there is no hope from Japan. I sent my proposal
to Japan in 1999-2000, so you should build this one
first. If Japan doesn't grant its loan, you can do it.
-
- If we talk about
access to health care in terms of geography, this
building is accessible from all directions. Patients
from the north can get to Calmete Hospital, and
patients from this way will get to the Kantha Bopha
Hospital (pediatric hospital), and patients from the
other direction will get to a general hospital in the
center of the city, the former General Headquarters
built during the French colonization. When was it
built? Mr. KEAT Chon, remember? In 1930. It will be
good if we can turn it into a hospital, and there will
be no more military in the city because there is no
more fighting. We will just talk things out.
-
- For this reason, we
have pushed the Kantha Bopha Hospitals to the limit of
their capacity. Please do not interfere with Kantha
Bopha affairs (clapping). I don't understand why the
Kantha Bopha Hospitals are being criticized when these
hospitals are capable. I don't understand this. While
the Kantha Bopha Hospitals are capable of treating
patients in this way, some experts claim that they are
wrong, that they offer treatment procedures that
Cambodia has never before experienced. What is wrong
with that? (clapping). In terms of technology, I
already said, Cambodia is not a rubbish bin for
obsolete technologies. Modern technologies are
welcome. However, do not use Cambodians for
vaccination tests such as AIDS drugs. If you want to
conduct your tests, do it with animals. Do not test
Cambodians with drugs. Do not do it.
-
- Recently, we
requested a piece of land at the corner and Oknha KIT
Meng has approved the land request for long-term use.
When he is ready, we will be able to start.
-
- Imagine the past
few years, how many children would have died if we did
not have these hospitals? So we need to find out the
answer. The simplest answer is countless children
would have died. For example, in Siem Reap, patients
from Siem Reap, Kompong Thom, Banteay Meanchey and
Battambang are concentrating at Siem Reap Jayavarman
VII hospital. The one in proximity to the Royal Palace
is also full. This one will also be full when its
expansion is complete. Therefore, we need to make an
effort (to build hospitals). Without such hospitals,
more children would die. These hospitals are very
popular because their treatment services are good and
their professionals highly responsible. The hospitals
have also provided training to improve human resources
within the hospitals.
-
- Samdech Supreme
Patriarch, Venerable Monks, Your Excellencies, Ladies
and Gentlemen:
-
- The Kantha Bopha
Hospitals and Jayavarman VII Hospital are highly
capable and equipped with sophisticated equipment.
Presently, the management system that is being
implemented in the Kantha Bopha Hospitals is
considered as a model for other hospitals nationwide.
Concerning this point, I affirm that the management
model at the Kantha Bopha Hospitals should be
implemented at other hospitals as part of their own
capacity building. It is a good model. Thus, as
mentioned above, the white, the yellow, the black are
entitled to equal access to health services whether
the country is affluent or poor. Children in Cambodia
are treated equally regardless of where they come
from: well-to-do, middle-class, poor or destitute
families. A difference results when the democratic
system or human rights come under different management
styles.
-
- In Muslim
countries, it is wrong to expect women to take off
their veils like those in western countries. It is
completely wrong in my country. However, it is so
strange that we are required to follow a policy like
that in terms of politics, and do differently in
health sector. It is said that because you are low,
you have to implement the low procedure. That isn't
right. It doesn't mean that I am applying that to
them, but I just want to express my feeling because
sometimes it is said that you (Cambodians) deserve low
health services but you (Cambodians) have to implement
and strengthen human rights. In terms of human rights,
we are working very hard. What are these? These are
human rights, aren't they? Are not Dr. Richner and his
over 1,000 colleagues implementing human rights? How
can we have human rights if they let patients die?
Access to medical treatment is a human right. Where
would human rights be if there was no right to live
and receive nutrition, food, clothing and education?
These are my questions. Good health and education
services go hand in hand with good human rights. If
the services are provided, this is called human
rights. Do not just talk but take no action.
-
- Samdech Supreme
Patriarch, Venerable Monks, Eminent Master:
-
- If we go on and on
talking about human rights and let people die, what do
you think will happen? Is waging wars or fighting
against each other human rights? Some answer that
killing by bombardment is a human right because it is
to promote democracy. When we treat patients, it is
said that we have no right to receive such a treatment
yet. Dr. Beat Richner has been working very hard. I
have to write a statement to Kofi Anan to defend Dr.
Beat Richner. Now, I declare my protection, and no one
has the right to interfere with the Kantha Bopha
Hospitals. Minister, secretaries of State, keep your
eyes on the Kantha Bopha Hospitals. Do not make any
more statements, or the Swiss people may...
fortunately the Swiss people only think that they have
to achieve their goals. Therefore, millions of Swiss
people will contribute their money to expansion and
equipment. Scanning can be done at Calmette Hospital
and if Calmette Hospistal were not available‚
Ķ the Calmete Hospital is already equipped
with scanning capabilities. I have just instructed
H.E. NUTH Sokhom to allow Dr. HENG Tai Kry to
serve as director there because it involves loans and
other issues. It is an autonomous hospital.
-
- Concerning this
matter, I would like to stress a significant political
message. It is wrong in terms of morality,
professionalism, politics and economics. So I
acknowledge it should be stopped. If we don't do
anything, please don't speak and do not disturb Dr.
Beat Richner (clapping). The achievements of the
hospitals so far is the result of long work
implementation combined with the great endeavors of
Dr. Richner, the leader of all the hospital employees.
Once again, on behalf of the Royal Government of
Cambodia and the Cambodian people, I would like to
convey my sincere thanks to Dr. Beat Richner and
through Dr. Beat Richner I would like to express my
profound thanks to all the Swiss donors and I would
also like to thank Oknha KIT Meng again for his
contribution to the expansion of the Kantha Bopha
Hospitals.
-
- I would also like
to express my praise and admiration to the management
of the hospitals, the medical practitioners, nurses
and employees working at the two Kantha Bopha
Hospitals and the Jayavarman VII Hospital in Siem
Reap, who have contributed to building a significant
health infrastructure. This is obvious testimony to
your great expertise in the area.
-
- In closing, I would
again like to reiterate the Royal Government of
Cambodia's ambition of focusing on the improvement of
the health status of our Cambodian people, and I do
hope that the newly-built facility, the construction
of which we are launching today, will help contribute
to addressing the said issues.
- Finally, I wish
Samdech Supreme Patriarch, Venerable Monks, Your
Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, the five
benedictions of Buddha: longevity, beauty, peace,
power and intelligence (clapping). Strongly convinced
of your cooperation, may I declare the official
opening of the ground breaking ceremony of for the
expansion of Kantha Bopha I Hospital.
-
- Thank
you!
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