Health Ministry welcomes visiting US Congressman

by Tith Kongnov
August 23, 2024

Chheang Ra, Minister of Health (L), receives a courtesy call from Brad Wenstrup, US Representative for Ohio’s Second Congressional district and his delegation from the United States Congress. Ministry of Health

The Ministry of Health requests that the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (US-CDC) will continue providing support to strengthen the capacity of laboratory and medical imaging technology to improve the quality of the health sector in Cambodia.

Health Minister Chheang Ra received a courtesy call from visiting US Representative for Ohio’s Second Congressional district, Brad Wenstrup, and his delegation to the Ministry of Health (MoH) on Wednesday.

The minister asked the US delegation partners to continue supporting the ministry’s capacity to conduct laboratory experimentation and medical imaging for the benefit of nation’s healthcare sector.

He welcomed and thanked the United States Government and the American people for providing technical assistance to the healthcare sector through co-sponsoring projects of the MoH, which has led to the improved health of mothers, children and infants, and generally also the well-being of the Cambodian people. He noted that US assistance gave a boost to the healthcare system in Cambodia, especially during the COVID-19 outbreak not long ago.

“I would like to thank the United States of America, through Dr Brad Wenstrup, in particular the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the United States Center for Disease Control (US-CDC), for their continued support of the MoH and its efforts to improve the welfare of the Kingdom of Cambodia,” Ra said.

He added that the two countries’ cooperation to fight against infectious diseases has strengthened their capacity to prevent and respond to global public health threats.

Ra also requested more support for capacity building, including new laboratories and medical imaging technology for Cambodia in provincial hospitals and emergency departments, which is part of a national priority plan to improve the quality of healthcare services throughout the country.

Wenstrup expressed his satisfaction with the achievements of Cambodia-US cooperation.

Recently, Prime Minister Hun Manet said the Health Equity Fund (HEF) and the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) has provided coverage to nearly 7 million citizens – equivalent to 41% of the total population – in the first three months of this year.

“We have launched the Roadmap for Universal Healthcare Coverage in Cambodia 2024-2028 (UHC 2024-2035) in which the government has invested a huge budget to improve and develop the health sector, bringing proud results and progress,” the Premier said.

He also noted that healthcare today is a government priority, with total expenditures last year increasing to 2.293 billion Riel, or $573 million, which is nearly double the $266 million spent in 2013.

The prime minister said that ongoing investment in the health sector clearly reflect progress towards the ultimate goal for the nation: universal healthcare coverage for Cambodians.