The pediatric surgery project which has been implemented by FIDR at the National Pediatric Hospital (NPH) from 1996 for the past 20 years has expanded its activities to Kratie province - a northeastern province of Cambodia since this fiscal year. To commemorate this event, an opening ceremony was held in Kratie province on August 7. In the ceremony, we had an opportunity of welcoming approximately 100 people including Mr Okamatsu - FIDR’s director board member, Doctor Ishii who have a huge contribution in the project for a long time and Mr Okada - FIDR’s Secretary General coming from Japan, as well as Director of NPH, Director of Health Department of Kratie Province, Director of Kratie Provincial Hospital, Director of Health Centers in the province, and the doctors/ staffs of Kratie Provincial Hospital who will be the target beneficiaries of the project.

Mr Okamatsu introduced the significance of FIDR's support on surgeon's postgraduate training at NPH that "There are still many areas in developing countries where the access to surgical operations is limited. If patients who need surgery can access surgery operation easily and receive appropriate treatment, more children can be saved their lives".

Director of Health Department of Kratie Province mentioned that "Since the emergency referral system in the province will be strengthened with FIDR support, we will take our first effort on calling to the parents and caretakers of pediatric patients to bring their children to the hospital for examination".

Finally, Mr. Okada FIDR Secretary General presented the plate engraved with the names of Cambodian Ministry of Health, Kratie Provincial Hospital and FIDR.

Through this new phase, we try to build a medical system in which Kratie Provincial Hospital will be in the center of pediatric surgical management in the northeastern Cambodia with a strong partnership, so that more children can receive appropriate treatment in the local.