PHNOM PENH — H.E. Prof. Koy Vanny, Secretary of State at Cambodia’s Ministry of Health, met with a delegation from the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) to enhance collaboration in the healthcare sector, with a focus on scholarships, system strengthening, and epidemic preparedness.
The ERIA delegation was led by Dr. Yasuyuki Mitsuhashi, Senior Policy Officer for Healthcare, and the discussions centred on the ASEAN-Japan Medical Scholarship Programme. This initiative aims to empower Cambodian medical students and professionals with access to advanced medical education and training opportunities in Japan. Talks included the scholarship’s eligibility criteria, core objectives, and strategies to ensure Cambodian participants maximise their learning and practical experience.
Both parties expressed commitment to using this platform to equip Cambodian healthcare workers with the latest clinical knowledge and skills, enabling them to return with critical expertise to support Cambodia’s healthcare evolution.
Also read, Aurelius Healthcare to Expand Operations in Cambodia with Local Partnership
In addition to scholarships, the meeting explored broader support avenues ERIA could provide to Cambodia’s healthcare system. Topics included long-term epidemic response strategies, institutional capacity building, and the potential for joint research and innovation in priority health areas.
H.E. Prof. Koy Vanny extended his appreciation to the people of Japan and ERIA for their ongoing support to Cambodia’s health sector. He highlighted the importance of such partnerships in strengthening hospital services, medical education, and overall system capacity.
“This partnership will not only enhance the technical skills of Cambodian medical professionals, but also contribute to building a resilient, high-quality healthcare system,” Prof. Vanny stated.
Dr. Mitsuhashi thanked the Ministry of Health for its strong cooperation and reaffirmed ERIA’s commitment to supporting Cambodia in healthcare reforms, particularly in the areas of human resource development, long-term care mechanisms, and health innovation. He underscored that ERIA’s goal is to contribute to sustainable health sector development across the ASEAN region, with Cambodia as a key focus.
A key highlight of the meeting was the discussion on formalising cooperation through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between ERIA and the Ministry of Health. The proposed MoU would institutionalise collaboration in areas such as healthcare infrastructure development, capacity building, and technical knowledge exchange across specialised fields critical to Cambodia’s healthcare advancement.
Also read, KOICA and Cambodian Health Ministry Launch $7 Million Project to Transform Healthcare in Ratanakiri
Both sides concluded the meeting with a shared vision to deepen cooperation and implement actionable steps to enhance Cambodia’s healthcare landscape in the months ahead.
