Phnom Penh—A specialized training course on tropical disease control and prevention, organized by Chinese health experts, concluded in Cambodia’s capital on Friday, marking a significant step in strengthening local capabilities to combat health threats like malaria and dengue fever.
According to Namibia Press Agency, the course was led by professionals from the Hainan Provincial Administration for Disease Control and Prevention and attended by over 30 Cambodian health personnel from various provinces. The training aimed to enhance the skills necessary for effective disease prevention and control, as outlined by Heng Sokkung, Secretary of State for Cambodia’s Ministry of Industry, Science, Technology and Innovation, and head of the Doctor Alliance of the Union of Youth Federations of Cambodia. At the closing ceremony, Sokkung emphasized the importance of the training in improving local health strategies and expressed gratitude towards the Chinese government for its ongoing support in modernizing Cambodia’s health sector.
The two-day event covered critical areas in the diagnosis and treatment of tropical diseases, which remain prevalent in Cambodia. In the first half of 2024, the kingdom reported 7,058 cases of dengue fever with 24 fatalities, and 1,384 malaria cases in 2023 without any deaths. Feedback from participants highlighted the practical benefits of the training, with Dr. Or Paireatrei of Preah Ket Mealea Hospital noting the course’s usefulness in his daily medical practice.
Dr. Hay Songchhay, another participant and a doctor at a private clinic in Phnom Penh, underscored the timely nature of the training during Cambodia’s rainy season, which typically sees a surge in dengue and malaria cases. His participation, he noted, expanded his understanding and capability to manage these diseases more effectively.
