Cambodian and the US have signed a five-year, $36 million bilateral health memorandum of understanding (MOU) and a Data Sharing Agreement (DSA). The comprehensive framework aims to strengthen the two nations healthcare partnership, ultimately contributing to the public health and well-being of both the Cambodian and American people.
An April 7 joint press release announced that the MoU was signed on April 2 by Senior Minister Chhieng Yanara, second vice-chairman of the Council for Development of Cambodia (CDC), Chheang Ra, Minister of Health, and chargé d’affaires Bridgette L. Walker of the US embassy.
Through the agreement, the US will continue to cooperate with the Cambodian government by supporting priority global health security programmes in the joint fight against infectious diseases, including HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria. The DSA establishes protocols to ensure that health data collected and shared under the agreement is managed in accordance with the highest standards of privacy and data security.
“An important objective of the MoU is to further strengthen infectious disease surveillance, outbreak response, laboratory networks and data systems. The bilateral health MoU will incorporate a progressive transition of responsibility to the Royal Government of Cambodia in line with its strategy to reinforce national systems and institutional capacity,” said the release.
These joint efforts will drive action and contribute to Cambodia’s goals of eliminating malaria, ending HIV as a public health threat, reducing tuberculosis incidence and mortality, and ensuring the timely detection and response to infectious disease outbreaks.
According to the release, $30 million will be provided by the US, while more than $5 million will be covered by the Cambodian government “reflecting the commitment of both governments to strengthening Cambodia’s ability to achieve long-term sustainability in the health sector”.
“Together, these two arrangements represent a milestone in the more than 30 years of health sector cooperation between the US and Cambodia. The Trump Administration’s America First Global Health Strategy supports US national interests and makes significant progress toward securing a future in which we stop outbreaks before they impact the people of the US or our neighbours abroad,” said Walker.
“We are proud to continue working alongside the Royal Government of Cambodia to support strengthening the capacity of its institutions to address today’s public health challenges and prepare for the emerging threats of tomorrow,” she added.
Yanara described the new agreement as reflecting the spirit of cooperation and partnership between Cambodia and the US, while reaffirming Cambodia’s leadership to advancing national health priorities, strengthening institutional capacity and ensuring that achievements in public health are sustained for the benefit of both nations and peoples.
“This bilateral health MOU underscores a mutual commitment to safeguarding and advancing shared health gains and protecting the well-being of the Cambodian and American people, while directly supporting the long-term objective of building a resilient and self-sustainable health system led by the Royal Government of Cambodia,” he said.