Background
The inauguration of a dedicated maternity and neonatal building at Preah Net Preah Referral Hospital in Banteay Meanchey expands provincial-level health infrastructure for emergency obstetric and newborn care. The new maternity building at Preah Net Preah Referral Hospital measures 15×50 metres, is a single-storey structure with 28 rooms and 12 toilets, and was built with approximately USD 398,395.98 in funding from the Korea Foundation for International Healthcare (KOFIH), excluding medical equipment.
The facility integrates a range of maternal and newborn services designed for referral-level care and outpatient support, aligning with Ministry of Health priorities to strengthen service quality and safety. The facility provides services including normal, assisted and cesarean delivery; basic neonatal care; gynecological treatment; vaccination; labor augmentation; obstetric ultrasound; and antenatal and postnatal examinations.
Key Developments
The building was officially inaugurated on 6 August 2026 by the Minister of Health, together with Kim Chang Yong, the Republic of Korea’s ambassador to Cambodia. The project was implemented under Korean official development assistance (K-ODA) channels with contributions from KOFIH and KOICA as partners in health system strengthening.
Institutional Role
The new maternity unit is positioned as an asset within the provincial referral hospital network and is intended to support emergency obstetric services, maternal care and early neonatal treatment for residents of Banteay Meanchey and adjacent border districts. Provincial health administration and local authorities led operational coordination with the Ministry of Health and donor partners during project delivery.
Operational Implications
The one-storey facility includes accessibility features and layouts intended for high-volume maternal services: 28 rooms, 12 toilets, and two designated toilets for persons with disabilities. Reported service capabilities include delivery (normal, vacuum-assisted, and cesarean), basic neonatal treatment, vaccination services, obstetric ultrasound, and antenatal/postnatal examinations; the capital cost figure reported excludes medical equipment and consumables.
