The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the Japanese Government jointly launched here last weekend a new project to support the Royal Government of Cambodia in building resilient and responsive health care systems in Cambodia.

The launching ceremony was presided over by H.E. Mrs. Ing Kantha Phavi, Minister of Women’s Affairs and Mr. Karimata Atsushi, Chargé d’Affaires a.i. of the Embassy of Japan in Cambodia, with the participation of Mr. Golden Mulilo, Representative a.i. of UNFPA Cambodia and senior officials of relevant ministries and institutions.

According to a statement of UNFPA Cambodia, the project, “Building Resilient Health Care Systems during the COVID-19 Pandemic through Enhancing Life-Saving Services and Digital Transformation in Cambodia”, is aimed to ensure that vulnerable populations in key target areas have continuous access to quality Sexual Reproductive Maternal and Neonatal Health (SRMNH) services and information during and beyond the COVID-19 pandemic.

With US$ 1.17 million in funding from the Japanese Government through UNFPA in Cambodia, the project creates a timely opportunity to continue working closely with key Government ministries, particularly the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Women’s Affairs, and the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports, it added.

The project will focus on: enhancing EmONC (Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care) in Northeastern provinces through providing life-saving equipment and means of referral; Strengthening the capacity of the healthcare workforce and enhancing the provision of essential SRMNH services by expanding E-learning platforms and introducing telemedicine; and Using innovative digital platforms, improving access to essential SRMNH information and services for vulnerable populations, including young people and gender-based violence survivors, it pointed out.

“UNFPA supports and strengthens the integrated health systems through partnerships like this to endure the ongoing pandemic and be better prepared for any future shocks,” the same source underlined.

Source: Agency Kampuchea Press