Logo of Phnom Penh Post newspaper Phnom Penh Post - Minister of Health issues warning about dangers during flooding

Minister of Health issues warning about dangers during flooding

Content image - Phnom Penh Post
Cambodian soldiers pack sand and soil onto a street to prevent flooding at the Kongnoy commune in Phnom Penh's Dangkor district in October 2021. Heng Chivoan

Minister of Health issues warning about dangers during flooding

Minister of Health Mam Bun Heng called on the public to be mindful of safety and health in the periods before and after floods take place in a letter on July 15 that called on the public to be ready to respond to natural disasters.

The minister said that climate change had affected the regularity of Cambodia’s seasonal changes and caused frequent natural disasters such as heat waves, storms, floods and droughts – all of which caused damages and destruction to infrastructure, property and homes while causing serious injuries and the loss of lives.

“Ahead of floods, [the public] must follow news of the situation closely and be mindful of their emergency plans for shelter and food. It is advisable to construct fences around ponds or any body of deep water and to keep the environment clean by constructing toilets on higher ground,” he said.

He also urged people to avoid sheltering in old houses that could collapse and to be mindful of power lines or other power sources that could electrocute them and that all boats and motorboats should be equipped with lights.

“Everyone must rest under mosquito nets to avoid catching dengue, malaria and chikungunya, among others. Pregnant women must follow up during their pregnancy at health centres and hospitals and when they are getting close to their time of delivery they must move closer to a health centre or hospital,” he said.

In the wake of flooding, the minister said everyone must continue to eat well-cooked food, drink clean water and maintain good hygiene to avoid disease.

Also, the environment around their house must be cleaned, especially making sure to destroy places with standing water that enable the breeding of Aedes aegypti and other mosquitoes.

He also instructed sub-national authorities to be ready in response to the emergencies that come in the rainy season and start preparing medicines, medical equipment, serums against snake bites and mobile medical teams to treat people in a timely manner.

MOST VIEWED

  • Joy as Koh Ker Temple registered by UNESCO

    Cambodia's Koh Ker Temple archaeological site has been officially added to UNESCO’s World Heritage List, during the 45th session of the World Heritage Committee held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on September 17. The ancient temple, also known as Lingapura or Chok Gargyar, is located in

  • Famed US collector family return artefacts to Cambodia

    In the latest repatriation of ancient artefacts from the US, a total of 33 pieces of Khmer cultural heritage will soon return home, according to the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts. In a September 12 press statement, it said the US Attorney’s Office for the

  • Cambodia set to celebrate Koh Ker UNESCO listing

    To celebrate the inscription of the Koh Ker archaeological site on UNESCO’s World Heritage List, the Ministry of Cults and Religion has appealed to pagodas and places of worship to celebrate the achievement by ringing bells, shaking rattles and banging gongs on September 20. Venerable

  • Ream base allegations must end, urges official

    A senior government official urges an end to the allegations and suspicions surrounding the development of Cambodia’s Ream Naval Base, now that Prime Minister Hun Manet has addressed the issue on the floor of the 78th UN General Assembly (UNGA 78). Jean-Francois Tain, a geopolitical

  • CP denied registration documents by ministry

    The Ministry of Interior will not reissue registration documents to the Candlelight Party (CP). Following a September 21 meeting between ministry secretary of state Bun Honn and CP representatives, the ministry cited the fact that there is no relevant law which would authorise it to do

  • Manet touches down in Beijing for high-level meetings

    Prime Minister Hun Manet arrived in Beijing on September 14 for his first official visit to China, where he is slated to attend the 20th China-ASEAN Expo and meet other leaders including Chinese President Xi Jinping. Upon his arrival, Manet laid a wreath at the Monument