July 30, 2025, Phnom Penh —The Mekong Institute (MI) officially launched the Mekong Children’s Heart Care Project on July 30, 2025, during the Mekong Forum in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. This new regional initiative seeks to improve the early diagnosis and treatment of congenital heart disease (CHD) among children in Cambodia and Lao PDR, while strengthening regional cooperation in healthcare.
The launch was marked by a special ceremony attended by high-level officials and key partners. Opening remarks were delivered by Mr. Suriyan Vichitlekarn, Executive Director of MI; H.E. Ms. Zhong Jie, Minister Counsellor for Economic and Commercial Affairs at the Embassy of China in Cambodia; H.E. Prof. Sok Chour, Adviser to the Ministry of Health and Deputy Director General for Health of Cambodia; and Dr. Khamsay Detleuxay, Director General of the Department of Healthcare and Rehabilitation, Ministry of Health of Lao PDR. Representatives from Fuwai Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences; Yunnan Fuwai Hospital; Cambodia–China Friendship Preah Kossamak Hospital; and other partner institutions were also present. The launch was officially officiated by H.E. Dr. Sok Siphana, Senior Minister of the Royal Government of Cambodia.
In his address, Mr. Suriyan emphasized the life-saving potential of the initiative, outlining key targets including screening 50,000 children, providing minimally invasive treatment for at least 70 CHD cases using the PAN technique, and training over 200 local healthcare professionals. He expressed deep gratitude to the Chinese government for its financial support, and recognized the strong collaboration with the Ministries of Health of Cambodia and Lao PDR, along with Fuwai Hospital and other dedicated medical partners.
H.E. Ms. Zhong Jie highlighted that the project is funded through China’s Global Development and South–South Cooperation Fund, as part of its commitment to advancing the Global Development Initiative and accelerating the achievement of the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. She reaffirmed China’s dedication to people-centered development and its willingness to share expertise through “small and beautiful” projects that deliver tangible benefits to local communities.
Representing their respective ministries, H.E. Prof. Sok Chour and Dr. Khamsay Detleuxay underscored the project’s critical role in expanding access to life-saving care for children—particularly those in underserved communities. Both officials stressed the importance of regional collaboration in strengthening local health systems and reducing child mortality in line with national health strategies and global development goals. “This launch is more than the start of a project,” said H.E. Prof. Sok Chour. “It is a promise—to give every child, no matter where they are born, the chance to live a full and healthy life.”
To further formalize the partnership, MI and the Ministry of Health of Lao PDR signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) following the launch ceremony, outlining their cooperation framework for the project’s implementation.
The Mekong Children’s Heart Care Project is jointly implemented by MI and Fuwai Hospital, in partnership with the Ministries of Health and national hospitals in Cambodia and Lao PDR. Funded by the Chinese Government’s Global Development and South–South Cooperation Fund with a total budget of approximately USD 2.47 million, the project will run from July 2025 to July 2027. It aims to deliver timely diagnosis and treatment for CHD, enhance local medical capacity, and strengthen cross-border health collaboration in the Mekong region. For more information about the project, visit: www.mekonginstitute.org/mekong-childrens-heartcare/
