WHO’s Li Ailan and health minister Mam Bun Heng (on her right) on May 3. FN
LI Ailan, representative of the World Health Organisation (WHO) to Cambodia, offered her appreciation for the Kingdom’s efforts to improve the health sector, and highlighted its excellent work to curb the spread of Covid-19, as she announced that her mandate in the Kingdom is coming to an end.
Li, who has been performing her duties in Cambodia since July of 2019, met with Minister of Health Mam Bunheng on May 3.
During the meeting, she said that as WHO representative, she appreciated the government for its effort to successfully handling of the pandemic. She noted that the Kingdom was able to resume socio-economic activities in November 2021.
She also complimented Cambodia for cooperating and supporting WHO’s missions.
“We have carried out many projects, including the fight against communicable diseases like HIV, malaria, TB and Type B liver inflammation, along with diseases that can be eradicated by vaccinations such as Type B liver inflammation, rubella and Japanese Encephalitis,” she said.
“Non-communicable disease [NCD] actions included the National Action Plan for Salt Reduction 2021-2027, the Education Strategic Plan and the National Strategic Plan on Tobacco Education and Reduction 2021-2026, the draft National Strategic Plan for the Prevention and Control of NCD 2022-2030. We have also pushed for global health coverage, re-focusing on primary health care,” she added.
The minister offered Li a warm welcome and thanked the WHO for supporting the health sector, which it has done through technical training and funding since 1991.
“WHO has supported the health sector for many years. During the Covid-19 pandemic, it coordinated the work that allowed us timely access to vaccinations, through the COVAX,” he said in reference to the global initiative aimed at ensuring equitable access to Covid-19 vaccines.
“WHO Cambodia representative office works closely with the government of Cambodia, international partners and nongovernmental organisations to improve the health and wellbeing of the Cambodian people.
“In a rapidly developing country such as Cambodia, WHO provides technical expertise in public health and support to the government to improve the health of all Cambodians, in particular the poor and vulnerable, through strengthening public health programmes and health systems,” said a WHO statement.
