Cambodia, US Laud Health Cooperation
Director of US Center for Disease Control Mandy Cohen meet with Health Minister Chheang Ra. Photo: US Embassy
- By Torn Chanritheara
- February 8, 2024 6:10 PM
PHNOM PENH – Cambodian and US officials have hailed cooperation on health relations, particularly on disease control and response, with the US reaffirming its commitment to help Cambodia build personnel capacity and eliminate malaria.
The praise came during a two-day visit to Cambodia by director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Mandy K. Cohen.
Cohen met Health Minister Chheang Ra on Feb. 7 during which they discussed the cooperation and US assistance to Cambodia
Topics included the fight against infectious diseases, tuberculosis, malaria, avian influenza, and support of the National Laboratory and Medical Microbiology Laboratory.
Also discussed were control of immunity to antibiotics and participation in the protection of global health security after the establishment of a CDC office in Cambodia in 2002.
Chheang Ra said that CDC had contributed to the well-being of the Cambodian people and improving the strong and resilient health care system.
Cohen said that US will work with Cambodia to strengthen global health security, support the training of health officials to help implement public health programs and continue to assist the Ministry of Health in implementing the National Malaria Eradication Strategic Plan by 2025.
She also highlighted the importance of continued collaboration in prevention and early detection of respiratory diseases and public health emergency preparedness and response, US Embassy said.
During the visit, Cohen visited hospitals, a health center and a laboratory which have partnerships with the CDC to observe joint efforts in combating heath threats and addressing HIV and other infectious diseases.
US Ambassador to Cambodia Patrick Murphy said the visit underscores the long-standing commitment of the US to improving public health in Cambodia while the CDC’s partnerships have helped Cambodia effectively address HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, influenza and rabies.
US has been working closely with Cambodia on health services ranging from eliminating diseases, and reducing maternal, neonatal and child mortality to strengthening the health system.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the US provided broad support to Cambodia including a $16 million fund, CDC technical assistance and 3.3 million vaccines.
