Health ministry secretary of state Koy Vanny (right) greets UNFPA country representative Sandra Bernklau at the ministry headquarters in Phnom Penh on January 17. Health Ministry
The Ministry of Health has asked the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) to continue training midwives and expanding its efforts in Cambodia’s northeastern provinces.
The remote region requires crucial maternal and reproductive health services for safe deliveries.
The request came during a meeting between ministry secretary of state Koy Vanny and UNFPA country representative Sandra Bernklau on January 17.
During the meeting, Bernklau noted the UNFPA’s role in Cambodia since 1993, supporting the government in reproductive health, sexual health, reproductive rights, addressing gender-based violence and promoting population development. This collaboration extends across ministries, national and international organisations as well as educational bodies.
“Teaming up with the government, UNFPA strives to collaborate with the health ministry to reach the 2030 [sustainable development] goals. This involves ensuring comprehensive family planning, preventing avoidable maternal deaths and eliminating practices that pose risks and contribute to gender-based violence,” she said.
Vanny extended appreciation to UNFPA for partnering with the ministry, contributing to the well-being of people through technical, financial and human resource support.
He also urged the agency to continue expanding its efforts in the northeastern provinces, given their high demand for maternal and reproductive health services for adolescents and young adults.
“I particularly want to ask the organisation to assist in gathering data on vulnerable groups, making it easier to provide health services for mothers, infants and children,” he said.
Vanny asked UNFPA to keep offering training for midwives before and during their work. Additionally, he urged the fund to enhance the capacity of the Minimum Initial Service Package (MISP) for Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) in crisis situations, including support for medical forensic team training.
In 2021, UNFPA supplied over 4,000 essential kits to support vulnerable women and girls affected by the Covid-19 outbreak and flooding, ensuring they could maintain hygiene and dignity.
The UNFPA is a prominent UN agency established to aid member countries globally in ensuring safe pregnancies and deliveries, particularly focusing on the health of young individuals and reducing global mortality rates.
