COVID-19 lab to be built in Preah Sihanouk

COVID-19 lab to be built in Preah Sihanouk

The Health Ministry will establish a testing facility for COVID-19 in Preah Sihanouk province in a bid to expedite checks.

The announcement of the lab construction came as Health Minister Mam Bun Heng visited Sihanoukville referral hospital in Buon commune.

Bun Heng said the construction of the lab and the testing is in partnership with China.

“The laboratory will be used for people and tourists because this province has potential for tourists and investments,” he said.

Preah Sihanouk provincial governor Kuoch Chamroeun said the provincial administration is supportive of the lab but it is waiting for the master plan to be approved so that the construction will commence.

“The laboratory will provide health services to the people and foreign tourists, as well as investors in Sihanoukville, who need health services,” Chamroeun said.

In March, 29 French nationals and two Cambodian tour guides were diagnosed with COVID-19 in Preah Sihanouk province after coming into contact with the two French patients. Their specimens were sent to Phnom Penh.

The Ministry of Health has put in more effort to establish COVID-19-testing facilities in other provinces on top of the laboratory centre in Phnom Penh.

Credited: Khmer Times