Logo of Phnom Penh Post newspaper Phnom Penh Post - Health Ministry admits shortcomings in report

Health Ministry admits shortcomings in report

Content image - Phnom Penh Post
Health Minister Mam Bun Heng speaks at the ministry's annual meeting yesterday in Phnom Penh. Photo supplied

Health Ministry admits shortcomings in report

The Ministry of Health acknowledged yesterday in its annual report that the quality of health care services in the Kingdom remains poor, with experts concluding that the slow improvement is due to a lack of government commitment.

The report, released during the first day of the ministry’s annual meeting, points out that the quality of public health care services is still failing to meet patients’ expectations, while costly private health care services are draining people’s pockets.

The report also concedes that the mechanism for inspections of medical clinics is still weak, and that the country faces a shortage of medical professionals, even with an influx of contracted staff.
Health Minister Mam Bunheng hung up on a reporter without providing comment.

However, Chum Sopha, executive director of the NGO Health and Development Alliance, said the health sector has seen “very slow improvement”.

“The health sector remains a priority, but [as] for the action, implementation is very slow,” he said.

The low quality of services stems from the abilities and skills of medical professionals, which are still limited, and in need of effective intervention, the ministry’s report says. A substantial injection of funding would be needed in order to build a solid capacity for staff.

There are also insufficient medical professionals to meet the current staffing demands at local health facilities, despite government approval to hire additional staff, the report says. In 2016, there were a total of 25,382 medical professionals in the country, compared to 20,954 in 2015.

In 2016, 11.4 million people visited health care facilities across the country as outpatients, compared to 10.4 million in 2015. Meanwhile, more than 807,000 people – excluding TB patients – were admitted as inpatients in 2016, compared to nearly 731,000 in 2015.

But shortages of certain forms of treatment still persist. For example, only 21 of the 111 referral hospitals nationwide provide ophthalmology care, while only 331 of 1,164 local health centres nationwide provide basic eye care services.

The report says that in the coming year, the ministry plans to boost enforcement of the Law on the Management of Medical Professionals and punish those who violate it. It will also focus on improving programs at public and private medical schools in an effort to bolster skills.

San Chey, of the Affiliated Network for Social Accountability, attributed the lagging reforms to a lack of government commitment and corruption.

“There are many [problematic] things to respond to in the health sector,” he said.

MOST VIEWED

  • Ministry orders all schools, public and private, to close for SEA Games

    From April 20 to May 18, all public and private educational institutions will be closed to maintain order and support Cambodia's hosting of the 32nd SEA Games and 12th ASEAN Para Games, said a directive from the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport. Cambodia will host the

  • Almost 9K tourists see equinox sunrise at Angkor Wat

    Nearly 9,000 visitors – including 2,226 international tourists – gathered at Angkor Wat on March 21 to view the spring equinox sunrise, according to a senior official of the Siem Reap provinical tourism department. Ngov Seng Kak, director of the department, said a total of 8,726 people visited Angkor Wat to

  • Angkor Beer strengthens national pride with golden new look and fresher taste

    Angkor Beer – the "Gold of Angkor" – has a new look, one that is more stylish and carries a premium appeal, as well as a fresher taste and smoother flavour, making it the perfect choice for any gathering. Angkor Beer recently launched its new design, one

  • PM urges end to ‘baseless’ international Ream base accusations

    Prime Minister Hun Sen urges an end to “baseless” foreign accusations surrounding the development of the Kingdom’s Ream Naval Base, as the US has consistently suggested that the base is being expanded to accommodate a Chinese military presence. Hun Sen renewed his calls while

  • Khmer ballet documentary debuts April 1

    A new documentary, The Perfect Motion, or Tep Hattha in Khmer, will premiere to the public on April 1. The documentary film follows two intertwined storylines: the creation of a show called Metamorphosis by the late Princess Norodom Buppha Devi (her very last production) and the

  • Water supply authority assures public shortages over early ‘24

    The Phnom Penh Water Supply Authority (PPWSA) asked for understanding from Phnom Penh residents in some communes where water pressure is weak. They assured residents that all supply issues will be resolved by early 2024, but have suggested that residents use water sparingly in the meantime.