Public Forum on the Accessible Health Care Free of Charge in Cambodia

On December 21, AGENDA partner Cambodian Disabled People Organization (CDPO) organized a virtual public forum with the theme “Accessible Health Care Free of Charge in Cambodia.” Deputy Director of Department of Social Welfare of the Ministry of Social Affairs, Veterans and Youth Rehabilitation Mr. Luy Chan Rithy, Deputy Director of the Department of Hospital Services of the Ministry of Health, Dr. Kim Savuon, and Deputy Director of the Department Poor Families of the Ministry of Planning, Mr. Sa Chivoin, participated in the event. This public forum presented an opportunity to amplify the voices of organizations of persons with disabilities (OPDs) including their concerns regarding accessing healthcare centers free of charge such as obtaining the equity card to qualify for these free health services. OPDs expressed challenges faced by the inaccessible health centers and transportation. The government representatives acknowledged these issues and conveyed the need to address them gradually. Government officials encouraged persons with disabilities to report any problems they might face in accessing a health care center to their local administration offices before it goes to provincial or national level offices.