For more than a decade, a volunteer team of medics spearheaded by lawmaker Hun Many has been providing free medical check-ups and treatment across Cambodia.
Their efforts have reached more than 11 million nationwide, a testament to the vast reach and impact of their initiative.
From December 2012 to July of this year, this group of medics has held 1,097 free-of-charge medical examination and treatment events across the country, according to Leang Phaly, secretary of state at the Ministry of Planning and chief of the volunteer medical team.
“I have nothing but high praise for his volunteer medics,” he said of Many, who is also president of the Unions of Youth Federation of Cambodia (UYFC).
“Their free medical examination and treatment events over the past 11 years have truly been a benefit for the people,” he added.
Throughout the capital and 24 provinces, the medical volunteers carried out these large-scale check-up and treatment events nearly 1,100 times, servicing a staggering 11,842,184 individuals, more than six million of them women.
Phaly estimates that the service costs average around $50 per person, bringing the total value of the free medical services provided to over $592 million.
Most recently, on July 30, Ker Ratha, secretary of state at the Ministry of Health, along with senior officials from the volunteer team, brought medical supplies and provided free medical examinations and treatments to 985 people, including 650 women, in Kampong Speu province’s Oral district.
Chhort Bunthong, head of the Culture, Education and Tourist Relations department at the Royal Academy of Cambodia, speaks highly of these free medical initiatives. He expresses delight not only at Many’s efforts but also at the contributions of other associations providing similar services.
“Anything that brings medical relief to the people is the best thing,” he said.
On July 31, Bunthong highlighted that these associations providing free medical treatment have significantly improved the wellbeing of the people, and those who can afford to should continue doing so.
“These associations are not only providing urgent treatment for various diseases but also changing people’s attitudes and habits. Individuals who might have previously sought healing from spirits are now turning to the health sector. This is a positive shift that we must encourage,” he said.
