The National Social Security Fund (NSSF) has established a Social Integration Programme to strengthen its ability to provide rehabilitation services and assist members of the fund who have disabilities.
NSSF deputy director-general Pen Norakvuth chaired a June 20 meeting on rehabilitation services, attended by the management and staff of the fund’s Department of Rehabilitation.
He told the participants that the provision of timely rehabilitation services, and the need to adapt to the requirements of each individual case, means that all staff members will need to improve their skills and display compassion.
“In order to contribute to the provision of professional rehabilitation services, the NSSF has established a social integration programme. It is designed to encourage – as well as empower – fund members who suffer from an occupational injury that leads to a disability,” he said.
“We want to improve their quality of life and contribute to poverty alleviation,” he added.
Kong Atith, president of the Coalition of Cambodian Apparel Workers Democratic Union (CCAWDU), said on June 21 that the NSSF’s occupational risk record was relatively good, but that there were several cases of accidents which had resulted in disabilities.
“The provision of rehabilitation services is welcome, as it means that victims will receive funding, medical equipment and vocational retraining,” he explained.
“An increase in the capacity of NSSF staff and the speed of their response is very welcome, because some victims of accidents have complained that some services took too long to access. I hope that he NSSF will continue to heed criticisms and make improvements,” he said.
According to the rehabilitation department report, as of May, 442 members of the NSSF have received rehabilitation. The NSSF provided rehabilitation services through the repair or provision of new prostheses, splints or support equipment as well as fitness training and physical therapy. It also offered vocational retraining, employment facilitation and psychological education.
