Since its launch on November 14, nearly 90,000 self-employed individuals have registered as members of the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) to receive healthcare coverage, according to Heng Sophannarith, the deputy head of the NSSF. The NSSF and the Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training have actively encouraged self-employed individuals, including vendors, tuk-tuk drivers, motodups, and immediate family members of existing NSSF cardholders, to enroll in the program.
As of December 11, a total of 88,005 new members have been registered, with 84,865 being vendors and tuk-tuk drivers, and 3,140 being family members of existing NSSF members. The NSSF is focused on increasing its advocacy efforts to reach a larger number of self-employed individuals and help them understand the health scheme through voluntary contributions.
Vorn Pov, the president of the Independent Democratic Informal Economy Association (IDEA), welcomed the health plan and the high number of new enrollments among self-employed individuals. However, he urged the fund to improve the quality of service provided by partner health clinics and hospitals. Pov emphasized the importance of prompt and high-quality service, as well as the need to expand the network of hospital partners. This will ensure that NSSF members fully benefit from their contributions.
The Ministry of Labour reported conducting 4,000 awareness-raising campaigns since the program’s start to educate the public about the benefits of the NSSF healthcare program. These campaigns have reached around 1.2 million people. The efforts, which began on November 15, will run until December 15, aiming to maximize participation and provide a comprehensive understanding of the program to potential members.
The NSSF program plays a vital role in providing social protection for self-employed individuals who often lack access to formal employment benefits. By enrolling in the program, they can secure healthcare coverage for themselves and their immediate family members. The significant number of enrollments highlights the importance of such initiatives to ensure the well-being of the self-employed population in Cambodia.
The NSSF and the Ministry of Labour remain committed to advocating for the healthcare program and encouraging more self-employed individuals to join. Enhancements in service quality and the expansion of hospital partnerships will further strengthen the benefits offered by the NSSF. This proactive approach contributes to the overall development and welfare of self-employed individuals in the country.
Source: Khmer Times
