CAMBODIA: Ministry’s Report Sees Major Decline in Infectious Diseases

Posted by Asia Views | Mar 4, 2025 | 0 |

KhmerTimes-Mar 4, 2025

A recent summary report on the Ministry of Health’s achievements last year, highlighted a notable decline in certain infectious diseases, reflecting successful prevention and control efforts. However, the report also points to an increasing prevalence of non-communicable diseases, signaling a need for continued focus on public health challenges as the ministry sets its strategic direction for this year. The report was presented by Lo Veasnakiry, Secretary of State at the ministry, during the opening ceremony of the 44th Health Conference held in Phnom Penh yesterday. According to Veasnakiry, cases of infectious diseases such as tuberculosis, malaria, and dengue fever have significantly decreased. Notably, the tuberculosis mortality rate dropped from 23 per 100,000 people in 2022 to 21 per 100,000 in 2023, while the treatment success rate for tuberculosis has remained above 90% for 24 consecutive years. Malaria cases also saw a sharp decline, from 1,384 cases to just 355. The number of malaria-related deaths has been at zero since 2018 and is projected to remain so. Similarly, dengue fever cases have decreased to about a quarter of the forecasted numbers due to proactive intervention and preventive measures.

On the other hand, the number of HIV/AIDS patients receiving antiretroviral therapy increased from 67,717 in 2023 to 69,694 in 2024, marking a 3.36% rise.

Veasnakiry also addressed the growing burden of non-communicable diseases and public health concerns. Last year the number of new diabetes-related hospital visits reached 230,279, a 59.18% increase compared to 2023. Mental health cases also rose significantly, with 282,615 reported cases in 2024—a staggering 197.82% increase compared to 2023. Tuberculosis cases in Cambodia have dropped by approximately 50%, showcasing the country’s commitment to fighting the disease while maintaining a high rate of preventive treatment for children. Read more at: https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501648245/ministrys-report-sees-major-decline-in-infectious-diseases/

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EXTRICATING NDONESIAN CHILDREN FROM ISIS INFLUENCE ABROAD

Indonesia urgently needs to revisit the possibility of repatriating the neediest of its young citizens stranded abroad, whose families had earlier joined ISIS. Most of these children are in camps in northern Syria but there are also small numbers in the Philippines, Afghanistan and Iraq. “Extricating Indonesian Children from ISIS Influence Abroad”, the latest report from the Institute for Policy Analysis of Conflict (IPAC) argues that the government could begin by bringing back small groups of unaccompanied children under ten years of age, who pose minimal security risk and are most vulnerable to deteriorating conditions in the camps.“The problem is that health and security conditions are worsening by the day in the Syrian camps, and the children are growing older,” says Dyah Kartika, IPAC analyst. “They need access to schools, a nurturing environment, and medical attention. If the government waits too long, the children will be further exposed to ISIS ideology.” The new report examines a 2019 list of Indonesians in camps and prisons run by the Kurdish Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). The Indonesian government has been trying to verify their citizenship, but with pseudonyms, misspellings and bad transliterations, it is a daunting task. At the time the data was collected, between March and June 2019, there were 555 Indonesians in SDF camps and prisons, including 367 children. Among the children, approximately 277 were under the age of ten and 34 were unaccompanied. In June 2021, there are fewer than ten children who are both unaccompanied and under the age of ten that could be prioritized for return. Bringing back children of ISIS families is no easy task. The report analyses the main challenges faced by the Indonesian government. These include definitional issues, bureaucratic competition, the difficulty of verifying nationality, evaluating the toll of exposure to conflict, assessing security risk, and finding relatives or others willing to provide care once the children are returned. In addition, COVID has meant stringent restrictions on travel, placing further obstacles in the way of repatriation. There are several models for rehabilitation of children exposed to violent extremism in Indonesia that could be modified to accommodate the needs of children repatriated from abroad. The report examines these models and argues that the government does not need to have every detail of rehabilitation programs in place before it starts extricating children from ISIS influence. It can start by bringing back the most vulnerable children and then modify programs as needed.

“It’s important that the government see these children as victims” says Dyah. “They deserve a chance to be children again.”

CAMBODIA: Ministry’s Report Sees Major Decline in Infectious Diseases

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