For nearly 11 years, the Samdech Techo Voluntary Youth Doctor Association (TYDA), led by Prime Minister Hun Manet and his spouse Pich Chanmony, has been offering free medical examinations and treatment. To date, it has examined more than 500,000 patients, referred more than 7,000 to hospitals and performed heart surgery on 66 patients.
When leading a team of volunteer doctors to treat patients at Chbar Ampov High School in Phnom Penh’s Chbar Ampov district on October 8, TYDA deputy chair of the board Chanmony recalled that former Prime Minister Hun Sen and his wife Bun Rany had long been staunch supporters of the association.
“[They] have always considered the health of the Cambodian people,” she said, adding that Hun Sen had assured her of his continued support for the medical treatment of the public.
Nuth Sambath, president of the Royal Academy of Cambodia’s Institute of Medicine, Biology and Agriculture, noted that TYDA’s free treatment and examinations are a strong humanitarian gesture.
He added that their activities inspired youth to act humanely and express national unity.
“They make a strong contribution to public health. TYDA volunteers often travel to remote areas to examine sick people, while doctors generally only work at hospitals,” he explained.
Yang Kim Eng, president of the People’s Centre for Development and Peace, described Hun Sen’s commitment to continued support for the TYDA as admirable, as the association often assisted poor and vulnerable people who were unable to travel to hospitals.
