Health minister Chheang Ra meets with UNFPA deputy regional director for Asia Aleksandar Sasha Bodiroza at the ministry headquarters in Phnom Penh on February 21. MoH
The Ministry of Health has requested the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) expand its support for Cambodia’s mission, particularly in maternal and reproductive health services, for eight northeastern provinces where the need is most acute.
The request was made during a meeting between health minister Chheang Ra and UNFPA deputy regional director for Asia Aleksandar Sasha Bodiroza on February 21, according to the ministry’s official social media.
Bodiroza noted that the fund started working in Cambodia in 1994 with the support of the government under the coordination of the Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC).
“UNFPA has supported the ministry on reproductive health, sexual health, family planning and gender initiatives as well as collaborating with relevant ministries and national and international organisations to achieve sustainable development goals (SDGs) ahead of schedule,” he said.
During the meeting, Ra asked the fund to continue its work activities in the targeted provinces due to the need for health services in the area.
“Due to the demand for maternal and reproductive health services among adolescents and youth in these provinces, UNFPA should consider integrating primary healthcare services. This integration can aid in identifying vulnerable groups who have not accessed healthcare, facilitating the provision of services to them,” he said.
Ra also asked for ongoing support from the agency in three key areas: training for midwives prior to engaging in the examination and diagnosis of individuals, strengthening the overall health service infrastructure and providing training in sexual health for emergency and disaster situations.
He said these initiatives aim to collaboratively improve the wellbeing of the Cambodian people in line with the government’s Pentagonal Strategy.
Nuth Sambath, president of the Institute of Medicine, Biology and Agriculture at the Royal Academy of Cambodia, said that healthcare is a crucial priority needing increased support and attention from all parts of society.
“With numerous new large hospitals under construction, supporting and investing in healthcare is crucial for bolstering human resources, particularly in technical skills, infrastructure, professional ethics and advanced research,” he said.
Sambath also urged relevant institutions to pay more attention to the welfare of doctors so as to further enhance the sector.
Ra used the occasion to thank both UNFPA Asia and Cambodia for their technical and financial support of the ministry, aiding in resource development for health services in the Kingdom.
