PHNOM PENH (Phnom Penh Post/ANN): The Cambodian Ministry of Health has deployed additional staff and stockpiled medical supplies to strengthen more than 120 health centres along the border.
The beefed up clinics and centres aim to assist local citizens — as well as military personnel — along the Cambodia–Thailand border, following the recent resumption of border clashes.
During an inspection tour of the border area of Preah Vihear province on June 28 and 29, Minister of Health Chheang Ra stated that after the incident on May 28, which involved an exchange of fire between Cambodian and Thai troops, medical teams were immediately deployed to the border areas, particularly the Techo Bos Sbov area.
The teams also began inspecting health centres and community health bases along the border, from Preah Vihear province to Oddar Meanchey, Banteay Meanchey, Battambang, Pailin, Pursat and Koh Kong.
“The health ministry stands with our people and the troops defending our nation's territory. All local-level institutions are working together in solidarity,” the minister stated.
He explained that the ministry has launched a special campaign, conducting regular inspections of health centres, but noted that due to the current border dispute, they are also delivering additional medicines and supplies to health centres, while assessing the wellbeing of local people.
“The local health centres and posts along the Cambodia–Thailand border are not isolated. Medical teams across the country are mobilising to stand with our people. We are preparing teams to be ready for any situation. We’ve come to assess the situation so we can be even better prepared,” he said.
The minister added that the ministry has reinforced over 120 health centres along the border, in addition to seven provincial referral hospitals and a facility in Siem Reap province.
“We have seen that our people are well-prepared, with sufficient medicines and equipment. Our staff are ready to mobilise, performing their daily duties and able to respond immediately when needed. This shows that our people are warm-hearted and well-prepared, and we hope citizens will continue to receive even better services,” he said.
During the two-day inspection trip, the minister also met with and provided donations to internally displaced people temporarily staying at Wat Po 5000 — over 5,000 individuals from 2,264 families.
The ministry stated that Ra advised the leadership of medical agencies at all levels to collaborate in providing both technical and treatment assistance, while further clarifying and deepening their understanding of the situation. In addition, they must evaluate the outcomes of expanded hospital capacity — particularly focusing on emergency response services, treatment beds, and effective referral systems.
He explained that responsible leaders must accelerate the strengthening of district hospital capacity in border areas for emergency services, and they must closely monitor the progress of this work to ensure full readiness for delivering emergency and trauma care in critical situations. - Phnom Penh Post/Asia News Network
