Although the health sector has made significant improvements to socio-economic development, poverty and mortality rates in Cambodia, the government will continue its strategic health plan to strengthen the quality of health services in future.
Minister of Health Mam Bun Heng said the plan is to further reduce maternal, infant and child mortalities and malnutrition, expand prevention and treatment of communicable diseases and chronic treatments.
At the same time, the ministry will carry on enhancing the “attitude” of healthcare providers as well as their skills and capacity, and improve the management and supply of medicines and medical equipment.
Speaking at a meeting to review the working outcome of the sector in 2021 and its direction for 2022 at the Siem Reap Provincial Health Department, Bun Heng said the ministry would also strengthen the health information system.
“In addition, poor people will continue being exempted from payment for services through the equity fund project,” he mentioned, noting that free social security for healthcare in public health facilities for public servants, ex-civil servants and veterans will carry on.
Siem Reap Provincial Health Department deputy director Eap Bun Loeun said good cooperation with local authorities, partner organizations and stakeholders enabled health centres in the province to provide 24 hours health services.
“Poor households are protected from financial risk and receive similar medical examination and treatment services through the equity fund provided by the government and development partners, except for payments at public health facilities,” he said.
Separately, the latest national census showed that infant and child mortality rates in Cambodia are relatively low compared to other developing countries in the region.
Between 2008 and 2019, the rate for infant mortality dropped to 18 per 1,000 births from 26 while child mortality (under the age of five) fell to 28 per 1,000 live births from 44.
Under the UN’s development agenda, the new goal to reduce mortality rate by 2030 has been set at 12 infants per 1,000 live births whereas the rate for children under-five should be at least 25 per 1,000 live births.
