VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

The Indonesian Ambassador to Cambodia, Santo Darmosumarto and the Minister of Health of Cambodia, Professor Chheang Ra in Phnom Penh, Cambodia held a meeting on Thursday (14/3). At the meeting, they discussed the potential for cooperation of both countries particularly in the health sector. According to Ambassador Santo, as two developing countries, Indonesia has great potential to work together with Cambodia in developing the health sectors. As reported by the Indonesian Embassy in Phnom Penh, Ambassador Santo conveyed there were at least three areas that could be the focus of this collaboration. First, developing a cooperation framework through bilateral agreements in the field of health cooperation. Second, mutually increasing human resource capacity through scholarships, internships and other interactions between medical personnel and health workers. Third, increasing trade in health products, including medicines, herbal supplements and medical devices.

Meanwhile, Minister Chheang Ra provided an overview of the Cambodian government's priorities in the health sector, including preventing infectious diseases, handling non-communicable diseases, developing social security, increasing human resources, and developing digital health. Both parties agreed that there are a lot of rooms for Indonesia and Cambodia to work together to deal with this problem.

Ambassador Santo pointed out that exports of Indonesian pharmaceutical products doubled last year compared to the previous year. This makes medicines one of the top five main export products from Indonesia to Cambodia. He further asked for support from the Cambodian Ministry of Health to facilitate sustainable access to Indonesian medicines and supplements for the growing number of Cambodian consumers.

Moreover, Ambassador Santo also explained that the number of Indonesian citizens working in Cambodia is increasing. There are some of them who do not aware of health problems in Cambodia and how to overcome them. Therefore, he also asked for the support of the Cambodian Ministry of Health to provide health education to the Indonesian people living in Cambodia. The request received a positive response from Cambodian Health Minister Chheang Rea.

This year, Indonesia and Cambodia commemorate 65 years of diplomatic relations. Indonesia is Cambodia's sixth largest trading partner. The Indonesian Embassy in Phnom Penh wants to advance this economic relationship through concrete cooperative activities. In this September, the Indonesian Embassy in Phnom Penh is planned to hold a large-scale solo exhibition in Phnom Penh. The exhibition will promote bilateral cooperation in the fields of trade, investment, tourism and education, as well as in the health sector.