PHNOM PENH: The World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Director for the Western Pacific, Dr Takeshi Kasai, has congratulated Prime Minister Hun Sen on his leadership in the fight against Covid-19, which has saved millions of lives. He said he considers Cambodia's role in the fight against Covid-19 as a model for the world.

In a meeting with Prime Minister Hun Sen at the Peace Palace on Thursday morning, 30 June, Dr Takeshi Kasai noted three special features of Cambodia during the global Covid-19 outbreak: widespread vaccination, monitoring and response, and the acceptance of the Westerdam ship, which showed that the Cambodian government cares deeply about people’s lives.

The Prime Minister’s assistant, Eang Sophalleth, told reporters after the meeting, "At that time, there were 27 ships out at sea that had nowhere to dock, while Cambodia allowed ships to dock, so other countries also allowed ships to do the same. [Dr Takeshi Kasai] emphasized that Cambodia was a country that saved the lives of many people who were stranded at the time."

Prime Minister Hun Sen thanked the WHO for its vision and guidance on Cambodia's measures. He told Dr Kasai that Cambodia’s success in controlling the Covid-19 outbreak was due to the right vaccination strategy, which he described as a “blossoming strategy”. He also said that the decision to bring the Westerdam into Cambodia was born out of a purely humanitarian spirit, as Cambodia could not stand to watch the people on board of the ship die of starvation.

Cambodia has currently vaccinated more than 94% of its 16 million population.

Cambodia is considered by the WHO to be “A Small Country with a Big Heart” after allowing the MS Westerdam, carrying more than 2,000 people, to dock after several countries had refused over concerns that passengers may have been carrying Covid-19 infections.

According to a WHO report, “Cambodia’s response to the MS Westerdam crisis demonstrates that a country with fewer resources can contribute to global health security. It can take a humanitarian approach in a public health crisis and deliver a measured, coordinated response despite the uncertainty and complex challenges.”