(Phnom Penh): Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet received a courtesy call from Eamonn Murphy, UNAIDS Director, Regional Support Teams for Asia Pacific and Eastern Europe and Central Asia regions, and his delegation at the Peace Palace on Friday morning (Jun. 12).
During the meeting, the regional director expressed his admiration for Cambodia’s remarkable progress and development across all sectors and highly commended the strong leadership of the Royal Government of Cambodia in national development and the strengthening of the health sector.
He also highly praised the Royal Government’s commitment and leadership in promoting public health, particularly the introduction and implementation of the National Social Protection Policy Framework.
Furthermore, the regional director congratulated Cambodia on its successful achievement of the UNAIDS’ global 95-95-95 HIV targets: 95 per cent of people living with HIV know their status, 95 per cent of those diagnosed receive antiretroviral treatment, and 95 per cent of those on treatment achieve viral suppression (having the virus reduced to undetectable levels), towards ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.
He further highlighted that Cambodia is one of only seven countries worldwide, and the first in the Asia-Pacific region, to achieve this milestone, and encouraged Cambodia to share its successful experience with other countries.
The regional director also reaffirmed UNAIDS’ continued commitment to supporting and cooperating with Cambodia in strengthening the health sector, particularly in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
In response, Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet highly valued the role of the United Nations in supporting Cambodia’s socio-economic development, particularly in the health sector, as well as its continued assistance in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
Samdech Thipadei also highlighted that, from previous governments to the Royal Government in the Seventh Legislature of the National Assembly, priority has consistently been given to placing the people at the centre of development by promoting healthcare, education, and employment creation as the foundations for sustainable national development.
He further noted that the Royal Government has consistently attached great importance to strengthening the health sector through continuous improvements to health facilities and services at both the national and subnational levels.
At the same time, Samdech Thipadei added that, despite Cambodia’s significant achievements in the health sector, HIV/AIDS and other infectious diseases remain major public health challenges that require sustained attention and continued priority from the Royal Government.
Before concluding the meeting, Samdech Thipadei encouraged UNAIDS to continue strengthening its partnership and cooperation with Cambodia in developing the health sector.
He also underscored that the Royal Government of Cambodia stands ready to work closely with the United Nations and other development partners to achieve further progress.
=FRESH NEWS
