The National Social Security Fund (NSSF) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on Monday with The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) to transfer knowhow and foster the growth of NSSF officers.

The MoU was signed in Phnom Penh between PhilHealth board member Roberto M Salvador and NSSF president Ouk Samvichea. The Minister of Labour Ith Sam presided over the ceremony.

Speaking to reporters at the signing on Monday, Samvichea said PhilHealth has plenty of experience in developing national health funds. He said the Kingdom’s leaders are eager to learn from it and gain knowledge.

“Having experts to evaluate the financial system is very important for the progress of health insurance. We need to depend on experts abroad to help with our evaluation,” he said.

Samvichea said NSSF will send two Cambodian experts to learn from PhilHealth in the Philippines after the signing.

Targets of programme

Some 8,727 patients received medical treatment under the NSSF healthcare programme in the first half of this year.

From January to June, the NSSF spent $14 million to provide a range of medical services to civil servants, retired public servants and military veterans – who were the core targets under the programme.