NSSF cardholders queue for medical services at Phnom Penh’s Preah Ang Duong Hospital. PHOTO SUPPLIED
During the first half of the year, nearly 2.2 million of the more than 3.2 million members of the Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training’s National Social Security Fund (NSSF) used their membership cards to access medical services, said a ministry report.
The service, which had previously been criticised, is now becoming more popular.
“As of September, 1,518 health facilities throughout the Kingdom have signed agreements with the NSSF. This includes national hospitals, referral hospitals, public clinics and private health facilities,” it added.
Mao Sopheakdey, head of the NSSF at Phnom Penh’s Preah Ang Duong Hospital, said on October 8 that on average, most days saw about 600 NSSF cardholders came to the hospital for check-ups and consultations. On Sundays, the number grew to more than 1,000.
“The number of people using the cards continues to grow year-on-year. We are now seeing up to 30,000 per month,” he added.
He explained that NSSF officials were operating in 24-hour, seven-day-a-week shifts to ensure that card-holders could receive service at all times.
Khuon Vandy, deputy director of the hospital’s NSSF office, said that since 2017, the hospital had provided treatment and consultations to almost 1.2 million patients through the NSSF.
She explained that whether people used their NSSF cards, equity cards or cash for the services they obtained at the hospital, they were all considered to be the same as all other patients, and received the same attention from the medical staff as each other.
“Our medical teams and NSSF officials cooperate with each other to facilitate fast, convenient service for all patients,” she added.
Vandy also encouraged all NSSF members to visit the hospital for check-ups as well as treatment, noting that there are many specialised departments available, including obstetrics and maternity, as well as ear, nose and throat, in addition to general consultations.
Chea Sivorn, a Phnom Penh resident who has received treatment at the hospital four times already, explained how her NSSF card had benefited her.
She said that before becoming a member of the scheme, she had spent a lot of money on treatment for her eyes. Since becoming a member four months ago – with monthly contributions of just 15,600 riel, as a self-employed individual – she was able to obtain treatment at no expense to herself.
