Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni on Tuesday inaugurated the kingdom's largest Neurosciences Center at Calmette Hospital in the capital.
"Taking care of the health of the Cambodians is an important duty for the Cambodian government," the monarch said during the inauguration ceremony. "The Neurosciences Center will help ease the difficulties of patients with neurological diseases or damage. "
Health Minister Mam Bunheng said it took two years to construct the six-story Neurosciences Center at a total cost of 10.8 million U.S. dollars.
"The center is fully equipped with sophisticated medical equipment and devices for neurology surgery and treatment," he said.
The minister estimated there are more than 22,000 patients with hemiplegia, 3,000 with brain tumor, and 12,000 with disc hernia every year in the country.
In addition, some 5,000 people have suffered from serious head injuries in fatal highway accidents and about 40,000 strokes have been diagnosed.
Professor Francios Xavier Roux, Neurosciences Center's project leader from the Paris-based La Chaine de I'Espoir, said the center aims to help all patients with diseases of the nervous system, regardless of their financial and social status.
"The establishment of this Neurosciences Center promptly responds to the current public health need in Cambodia, and this is a big step to improve the health of Cambodian people," he said.
The center will also serve as a training facility for neurologists, neurosurgeons, anesthesiologists, and paramedics, he added.