Govt to invest $18 mil in ICU capacity

Govt to invest $18 mil in ICU capacity

Prime Minister Hun Manet chaired a meeting to review the outcomes of the 2024 local government work and discuss plans for 2025 with the local working group, held at the Peace Palace on Friday.

At the meeting, Mr Hun Manet said that the health and well-being of the people are central to the government’s priorities. He noted that the government has set clear objectives to strengthen and improve the capacity of public health facilities, particularly health centers and district referral hospitals.

Over the past year, the government has made significant strides in the health sector. Notably, 700 health workers were recruited in 2024, with more than 650 additional workers planned for recruitment this year to support health centres across the country.

Mr Hun Manet believes that the increase in healthcare staff will enhance the efficiency and capacity of health centres, which will eventually allow for 24-hour services.

“Health centres and referral hospitals are critical public health facilities. While people in Phnom Penh who can afford private clinics have access to care, those in rural areas depend heavily on health centres and district referral hospitals. Therefore, it is essential that we strengthen these public health services,” he said.

In addition, the government’s decision to allocate more than $18 million to enhance the ICU capacity at Level 2 District Referral Hospitals will equip them with essential equipment such as lab machines, X-ray machines, and other necessary tools. This investment will enable the hospitals to perform life-saving surgeries, reducing the need to transfer patients to provincial hospitals.

Mr Hun Manet pointed out the need for increased surgical capacity in district referral hospitals, noting that although there are 98 such facilities with surgical standards, fewer than 20 have the capability to perform surgery. Many of these facilities lack the necessary resources, with doctors unable to perform abdominal surgeries. The government plans to equip these hospitals with the infrastructure and equipment necessary to handle emergency surgeries.

“By next year, Level 2 District Referral Hospitals will be able to perform full emergency surgeries nationwide,” he said.

Mr Hun Manet also discussed the increase in medication for high blood pressure and diabetes. In 2024, the government allocated more than 30 billion riels to supply these medications to citizens, especially in remote areas where these health issues are prevalent.

“In the past, I have seen that patients struggled because medicines were limited to only a week’s supply. Starting this year, we are adding $18 million annually to increase the availability of medications for diabetes and high blood pressure. Now, citizens will have a sufficient supply of medicine,” he explained.

This increase in available medications will reduce the need for people to visit health centres multiple times per month, saving them both time and money.

Source : Khmer Times