Chhay Sophal, a journalism professor and veteran journalist, has written another book highlighting the government’s efforts in acquiring Covid-19 vaccines and the strategic measures deployed to curb the highly contagious and deadly disease.

Officially launched on August 28, the book has nearly 900 pages and is divided into six chapters. Five thousand copies were printed.

The first section of the book focuses on events between late December 2019 to August 1, 2021, when the Covid-19 vaccination campaign for the 12-17 age group was launched.

Sophal said the book was a rare chronological document for human history and for younger generations to understand the impact on life, the economy and society caused by the pandemic.

“The war on Covid-19 was a fight to take people back from the brink of death. Without the Covid-19 vaccines being timely delivered … and a strategic plan to fight the disease, then a great human catastrophe could have unfolded in Cambodia,” he said.

He said the book was a compilation of material such as reading, gathering and saving relevant documents every day. It included quotes, directives, instructions, announcements and other legal documents, including circulars, laws and sub-decrees relating to Covid-19 in Cambodia.

Sophal said he had applied much effort in compiling the book as it represents a historical record.

“I was afraid that people could have difficulties finding the documents about this event later. That’s why I followed events, saving and compiling them in a book,” he said.

Sophal said the book would be distributed to the National Library and other libraries and universities across the country.