The European Union (EU) has affirmed its support for Cambodia to achieve its global health coverage plan in line with the Pentagonal Strategy of the new government.
In his meeting with Health Minister Chheang Ra on Friday, Igor Driesmans, Ambassador of the European Union to Cambodia, said that the EU continues to support the Kingdom’s social healthcare projects aimed at improving the well-being of citizens.
The EU envoy also urged the Minister of Health to encourage Cambodian students to participate in scholarships through the ERASMUS programme.
Ambassador Driesmans also congratulated Ra for becoming the recipient of the most prestigious prize of France – the Legion of Honour.
On his part, Ra thanked the Ambassador Driesmans for reaffirming his commitment to strengthening and expanding the cooperation in health sector aimed at jointly promoting the well-being of the Cambodian people as envisioned by Prime Minister Hun Manet.
He said that Cambodia especially welcomes investment from EU based enterprises that produce medicines, vaccines and high quality medical equipment that can meet international standards.
He added that strengthening and expanding cooperation for healthcare is intended to promote the well-being of Cambodian society.
Kin Phea, director general of the Institute of International Relations of the Royal Academy of Cambodia, said that the Cambodia-EU relations have improved significantly since Cambodia decided to join with 140 other member states to support the UN resolution on the Russia-Ukraine war that demands Russia cease hostilities and leave Ukraine.
He added that support for the UN resolution has changed the attitude of many European countries towards Cambodia, which has helped to make the relationship between Cambodia and European countries more progressive and more consensual.
He also said that delegations from European countries have visited Cambodia frequently, which is a positive step forward for Cambodia in its goal to expand relations with European countries to become more cohesive and productive.
He added that the European Union has contributed dramatically to the development of human resources, education, health and many other sectors in Cambodia.
On Friday, the EU Embassy in Cambodia announced that up to now EU member states have supported the health sector in Cambodia, both technically and financially, in an effort to improve the well-being of all citizens.
The embassy cited the example of the Czech Republic, which has supported a maternity healthcare project for mothers and newborns that includes a perinatal care centre.
The German Democratic Republic (GDR) has been supporting social health protection projects, health equity programmes and improving the quality of services in Cambodia, including the “One Health 4 Cambodia” programme. France also has been training medical specialists on a yearly basis.
The Nordic countries have assisted Cambodia through the Global Fund project, especially the provision of vaccines through the COVAX programme along with bilateral cooperation to support Cambodia to achieve Universal Health Coverage. khmertimeskh
