The China-aided Cambodia-China Friendship Medical Building in Phnom Penh, capital of Cambodia. Located at the Cambodia-China Friendship Preah Kossamak Hospital in Phnom Penh, it started operations on March 21. [Photo/CMEC]

The Cambodia-China Friendship Medical Building, a key livelihood project built by China's State-owned enterprises, was officially put into use in Cambodia's capital Phnom Penh on March 21.

The main building of the Preah Kossamak Hospital in the capital's center covers a total construction area of 33,000 square meters. Construction of the hospital began in October 2018 with an investment of more than 80 million US dollars.

The 11-story building has 400 beds and is equipped with high-tech medical equipment. It is divided into different units, including surgery, outpatient services, emergency, medical technology, hospitalization, and logistics.

Samdech Hun Sen, prime minister of Cambodia, expressed his gratitude for China's contribution to the project at the opening ceremony, and highlighted it as a "milestone" in improving Cambodia's health services.

The project is another accomplishment reflecting the comprehensive strategic partnership and "unbreakable" friendship between the two countries, he said, adding it was achieved by close cooperation, mutual trust and mutual assistance.

"The hospital has been enjoying a reputation as a comprehensive hospital across the country and has been playing an important role in safeguarding the well-being of the local people since its operation. With builders' efforts, the hospital will be one of the most modernized in Cambodia, with more high-end medical equipment and a scientific triage system," said Wang Wentian, Chinese ambassador to Cambodia, at the inauguration ceremony.

"The hospital was another outcome of promoting a community with a shared future between the two countries," Wang said.

Sinomach subsidiaries China IPPR International Engineering Co Ltd (IPPR) and China Machinery Engineering Corporation (CMEC) worked together to undertake the project's preliminary survey and design and provided engineering supervision and management consulting during the construction.

Adhering to the core idea of a people-oriented medical building, IPPR integrates the Cambodian cultural element "Namaste (with folded hands)" into the gate design of the modern style building, to show best wishes the visitors' safety and health and the China-Cambodia friendly cultural exchanges.

Aiming for a low-carbon and high-quality green hospital, the company's design ensures good natural ventilation by setting atrium and corridor ventilation and rainproof louvers and open public spaces. It is ensures the facility has green components such as a solar water heating system and a photovoltaic power generation system, maximizing environmental advantages to reduce energy dependence and operation and maintenance costs.

Any person standing in a patient's shoes would come to appreciate that the design introduces advanced division of each functional area, stresses the role of a "life channel" between the emergency department and the medical imaging department, and smoothes the bonds between the inpatient department (especially the ICU), the supply department and the surgery department.

The hospital is one of the Cambodia's largest hospitals, offering treatment services in more than 30 specialties and employing more than 500 medical staff.