Sihanoukville referral hospital responds to infant death and allegations of inattentive care

Relatives criticised Sihanoukville Provincial Referral Hospital, also known as Chamkar Chek Hospital, alleging that staff used inappropriate language and failed to provide attentive, timely treatment to their seven-month-old child, leading to the child’s death. The hospital issued a clarification saying the patient received proper treatment in line with medical standards, necessary medication according to the condition and its progression, and continuous detailed monitoring by the care team. The clarification issued on the night of January 4, 2026 said the patient, a seven-month-old Cambodian girl, was brought by her grandmother for admission at 2:50 pm on January 2. She had fever, diarrhoea and bluish extremities when crying. Following a detailed physical examination and assessment of clinical signs, doctors diagnosed acute pharyngitis and acute diarrhoea. The hospital said the patient’s condition became severe despite the medical team’s efforts, and the family requested continued treatment at a national-level hospital. Sadly, the patient died at 12:45 pm while being transferred by ambulance with a medical team to Phnom Penh. Through the clarification, the hospital’s leadership, doctors and staff expressed condolences to the family on the loss of their beloved infant. By: Nget Pisant