A new era of healthcare for babies and mothers has begun at the Preah Norodom Sihanouk Referral Hospital in Suong, following the official handover of a new, state-of-the-art maternity ward.
The project, which was built and equipped through a donation from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, promises to provide safer conditions for mothers and babies in Tboung Khmum province.
The new hospital facilities were celebrated in a handover ceremony on September 11, 2025. The event was attended by dozens of doctors, nurses, and local and provincial leaders, including His Excellency Provincial Governor Pen Kosal. Representatives of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints also participated in the ribbon-cutting, marking a significant step forward for the region's healthcare.
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Serving a population of around 242,000, the Preah Norodom Sihanouk Referral Hospital is the primary referral center for the district. With approximately 350 babies delivered annually, the new maternity ward is making a critical difference. The first baby was delivered in the new facility on September 9, 2025, just two days before the handover ceremony.
His Excellency Governor Pen Kosal expressed his gratitude for the donation, thanking everyone involved, and singled out Church humanitarian officials and senior missionaries who oversaw the project. He spoke of the shared values between Christians and Buddhists in wanting to serve and help others in need. The Governor also encouraged hospital personnel to take excellent care of the new facilities and maintain high standards of cleanliness and hygiene.
The new maternity suite, a complete renovation of a previously empty building in the hospital complex, now includes a dedicated surgery room for cesarean section deliveries. In the past, patients requiring emergency surgery had to be moved to an operating room over 100 meters away, a dangerous delay in critical moments.
"Now everything is in one building," said hospital director Rat Puthilea. "It will absolutely save the lives of mothers and babies. Our patients are very happy.” The new maternity ward features state-of-the-art equipment and furniture for labor, delivery and recovery rooms, along with facilities for newborn intensive care.
Dr. Keo Vannak, director of the Tboung Khmum Provincial Health Department, called the occasion "a very happy day." He noted that the Church's substantial contributions in his province have provided high-quality equipment and renovated buildings with new plumbing, air conditioning, and electrical systems. The upgraded equipment and facilities in this hospital will help doctors, nurses and midwives provide better newborn emergency care, he said.
The missionaries and Church officials “live their religion with kindness in their hearts,” Dr. Keo said. He noted the missionaries also provided training to improve emergency services.
Reath Chansophea, president of the Association of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Cambodia, said it was an honor to participate in the handover. He explained that the Church humanitarian work is funded by donations from Church members worldwide and is an expression of the Church's desire to help all people in need.
"This project is meant to help all people enjoy good health," he said. "We hope it shows our love for the people of this province." The Church has engaged in more than 650 humanitarian projects in Cambodia since 1998.
The donation also included other key hospital equipment, including an upgraded X-ray machine and new tools and equipment for the province’s only ophthalmologist, who serves the entire provincial population of about one million residents.
Medical professionals were thrilled with the changes. Dr. Sim Sokmean, a family doctor, described the new facility as "very clean and comfortable for patients."
Cheng Eng, the general contractor for the project, praised the Church's commitment to quality. "They always want good quality, not just the cheapest work," he said. "We do quality work with quality materials that will last for a long time. I am so happy to work with the Church."
The humanitarian missionaries said the Preah Norodom Sihanouk Referral Hospital was chosen, in part, because of the impressive hospital staff and their dedication to good hygiene and quality care of patients. They noted the “extraordinary” enthusiasm of the hospital director and his team, feeling that the institution would not only utilize the help provided but would also maintain it well for years to come.
