Takeo Provincial Department of Health and related authorities have inspected private clinics in Takeo province after a clinic allegedly administered a wrong injection which resulted in a woman’s death in November. The family of the victim, Nam Chanthou, has urged health officials to strictly enforce the law and carry out their work professionally, as they do not want to see another victim die because of illegal clinics.
According to the Daun Keo Municipal Administration, the Unity Command launched an inspection to eliminate illegal private health services in Daun Keo on November 22.
They checked 12 large hospitals and maternity hospitals in Daun Keo. Among them, the authorities found five clinics with no proper permit from the Ministry of Health. The owners of the five facilities signed contracts to close them completely.
Regarding the inspection, Takeo Provincial Health Department director Phan Vann said after the 41-year-old woman died due to a “technical error” when being injected, Takeo provincial governor established a committee to inspect the technical and professional framework of health care throughout the province.
Vann said he does not have a detailed report yet because the inspection was still in progress but would inform CamboJA News later when it was completed.
CamboJA News attempted to contact Ministry of Health spokesperson Ly Sovann and Daun Keo district governor Kang Annan for comment, but neither responded.
On November 20, 2024, the ministry issued a proclamation on strengthening the regulation of private health services and health professionals in private health facilities and eliminating illegal private health facilities in the capital and provinces.
The ministry urged clinic owners in the provinces and cities to immediately and regularly inspect all private health facilities for professionalism and techniques in treating patients. Locations without permits will be closed to ensure citizens’ safety.
Provincial departments are required to submit updated reports on their inspections of private health facilities to the ministry by December 30, 2024, and to submit reports every quarter.
Meanwhile, Takeo Provincial Court spokesperson Nget Savuth said two private clinic owners, a married couple, have been sent to court and detained further.
According to a statement by the court, the woman, Sun Hak Marina, was charged with involuntary unintentional manslaughter and her husband, Hieng Songhak, was charged with practicing medicine without a medical license, conspiracy to conceal a body, and conspiracy to commit torture and aggravated attrocities against the victim.
Sao Phan, Chanthou’s husband, said he was deeply saddened by the loss of his wife.
Phan supported the move to inspect private clinics in Takeo, but he wanted the inspection to be carried out nationwide. He also urged the ministries and departments, especially relevant officials, to strictly monitor and inspect all clinics to ensure that they are properly licensed and have the right qualifications.
“I don’t want to see what happened to my family happen again [to others], and I ask relevant ministries to [carry out] enforcement of illegal hospitals because people don’t know which clinics are legal,” said Phan.
“When people see big banners on clinics, they think those clinics are good and have skillful doctors. But when the clinics are not legal and qualified, and do not have adequate technology, [why do they operate] or do they just decide to open until there is a problem and are inspected,” said Phan.
In addition to wanting to see the quality of private clinics in rural areas improved, including professionalism and legalization, Phan also wants justice for his family, as he has not received any compensation from the wrongdoers so far. He hopes that the couple will be punished accordingly.
“I ask the legal department to help me find justice for my family because I don’t know where to turn. It has been so quiet, we are feeling uneasy. We want compensation and justice,” Phan said.
Chea Cha, the victim’s sibling, told CamboJA News that he is very disappointed and sad at the way his sister died.
He hopes that the Health Ministry will take specific measures to tighten the inspection of clinics and licenses across the country so that people will trust medical treatments.
“I request the health department to reform or take measures to prevent this from happening again. There is no law against it. The law has yet to be implemented,” said Chea Cha.
Ouch Vuthy, president of the Virtuous Medical Association, told CamboJA News that the death of the patient constitutes a violation of the medical profession’s code of ethics.
He said the case may be related to systemic corruption from the local level to the district and provincial levels, and there must be a systematic investigation to punish the clinic owners and relevant officials who allowed the operation of an unlicensed clinic, which caused a death.
“The ministry has just responded that this clinic did not have a permit to open. Why did they dare put up a signboard for the clinic? It is not a small matter, so this matter is related to the director of the district operation,” Vuthy added. The ministry and other stakeholders must take action against the lower-level officials who allowed this clinic to operate without a permit.
He believed that if such cases led to continued loss of lives, the public’s trust in the medical field would be severely undermined.
He urged those in the profession to adhere strictly to the laws and ethical standards in place, and ensure that doctors meet the highest level of professionalism.
San Chey, president of Cambodian Social Accountability Coalition, told CamboJA News that the case requires a more thorough investigation, particularly as unlicensed clinics continue to operate.
He emphasized that this issue was not only confined to Takeo province, but the problem should be addressed nationwide, given the availability of health services and the need to protect citizens’ lives.
“If any private clinic is found to be operating illegally, there must be an in-depth investigation into the district to determine the reasons behind the illegal opening of the clinic, whether it is due to abuse of power or corruption,” Chey said.
