Cambodian minister renews call for Covid-19 medicines, vaccines to be global public goods

Cambodian soldiers carry aid including medical equipment from China, to be used to combat the spread of the Covid-19 coronavirus, at Phnom Penh International Airport in Phnom Penh on April 25, 2020. - AFP

PHNOM PENH (Xinhua): Cambodian Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn on Thursday (July 9) renewed a call for Covid-19 medicines and vaccines to be global common goods that can be accessed by all countries, said a foreign ministry's press statement.

"He further echoed the appeal of Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen, at the last 36th Asean Summit, to make the Covid-19 medicines and vaccine as global public goods that can be accessed by all," the statement said.

Sokhonn, who is also a deputy prime minister, highlighted the firm commitment of the Cambodian government in overcoming the Covid-19 global crisis through its "Cash Transfer Programme for Poor Families and Vulnerable Households during Covid-19" initiative, which earmarked US$125 million for a five-month plan to support the poor and vulnerable population, starting from June, it added.

Cambodia has recorded a total of 141 confirmed Covid-19 cases to date, with 131 patients cured and 10 remaining hospitalised, according to the Ministry of Health.