The Kampong Speu Referral Hospital, Chris Keenan Surgical Complex, was officially opened on Wednesday 23 November 2022 by the Cambodian Director of the Health Department, Dr Hok Kry, & the Director of the Kampong Speu Referral Hospital, Dr Chheng Sovathh and Mr Chris Keenan the principal benefactor. The provision of the theatres to this hospital will greatly benefit the local Cambodian community.
The instigators of the project were Dr Meng Sok & Dr Tim Keenan. Kampong Speu is Sok’s hometown, and it meant a lot to Sok to be able to give back. Osborne Park Rotary opened a RAWCS Tax Deductible Account and with SOK ensured all monies transferred were correctly paid for work done. Also in attendance were Dr Tim Keenan, Dr Peter Lugg, Dr Sok Meng, Pip Asphar and Debra Waters from the Rotary Club of Osborne Park and Dr Peter Lugg from the Rotary Club of Hawthorn in Victoria. Dr Tim’s brother Shane Keenan and his sister Jackie Hocking were in attendance.
During the ceremony, a trophy and certificate of appreciation was presented to Chris Keenan to honour his contribution, and certificates of appreciation were presented to Dr Sok Meng, Dr Tim Keenan, Dr Peter Lugg, and Mr Pip Asphar.
In opening the event, Dr Hok Kry stated the immense difference the complex will make to the district and make a lifesaving contribution to many locals and Dr Chheng Sovathh said by having 2 theatres, one would be used for general use and the other for orthopaedic surgery. Likewise, the hospital staff would learn how to assist and not only enhance their own medical ability but also improve their own medical careers.
The hospital wing, which incorporates two operating theatres, one for orthopaedic surgery and one for general surgery, was constructed in less than a year, with demolition commencing 11 months earlier in December 2021. The Kampong Speu Hospital is located some 45 minutes from Phnom Penh, in Cambodia and did not previously have an operating theatre.
Funding for the construction was primarily provided by Mr Chris Keenan, with additional hospital equipment and supplies provided by two Rotary Clubs with donations from St John of God Hospital Subiaco, Fremantle Hospital and South Perth Hospital, plus Commercial Laundry Solutions in WA The development was accomplished by the Rotary Club of Osborne Park in conjunction with the Hawthorn Rotary Club in Melbourne together with a group of retired Orthopaedic Surgeons and an incumbent Orthopaedic Surgeon in Phnom Penh, Dr Sok Meng.
Dr Tim Keenan, Dr Peter Lugg, Dr Meng Sok and other visiting surgeons will volunteer their time at the hospital to perform surgeries and train local staff. Many residents would receive surgery that they could not otherwise afford. Ongoing funding for the operation of the hospital will be provided by the Cambodian Government at a rate of US$200.00 per patient, and other donations. As is normal in Cambodia, the hospital does not supply food for the patients which must be provided by the patient’s relatives or friends. Patient wards are open air, minimizing the operating cost of the facility.
This Hospital will make a huge difference to the lives of the local poor people in this part of Cambodia.