Phnom Penh: The Secretary of State of Health and Chairman of the COVID-19 Vaccination Commission, Or Vandine, led a group of senior officials to visit Cuba to strengthen cooperation in the health sector, especially focusing on pharmaceutical cooperation for the treatment of cancer and diabetes.

The official visit was from December 11 to December 19, 2022, in Havana, Cuba.

The visit aims to strengthen cooperation in the health sector in accordance with the MoU between the Ministry of Health of Cambodia and the Ministry of Public Health of the Republic of Cuba, signed on September 24, 2022. The visit focuses on exploring the possibility of medical collaboration for the treatment of cancer and diabetes, pediatric vaccines, the COVID-19 vaccination, medical equipment, Cuba's primary healthcare system, and the training of human resources in both general and specialized medicine.

During the visit, the delegation from the Cambodia Ministry of Health visited drug control centers, vaccine factories, pharmaceutical factories, especially those producing cancer and diabetes medicine, hospitals, and the Cuban National Cancer Center, where they discussed the work of providing primary health care and the supply of medicines to pharmacies and patients in the communities of Cuba.

On this occasion, Cuba agreed to the Secretary of State Or Vandine request to seek for  the possibility of additional scholarships for Cambodian students in healthcare and also discussed with the Ministry of Foreign Trade of Cuba about providing scholarships to three Cambodian students who are pursuing medical degrees in Cuba.

In addition, Cuba has agreed to send a team of oncologists and endocrinologists to train Cambodian doctors or accept Cambodian doctors for direct training in Cuba. Experts from both sides will continue to make more detailed plans on requirements and timing.

Cambodia encourages Cuba to export products for the treatment of diabetic ulcers in order to minimize the risk of amputation. Especially, provide training on how to use the medicine.

It should be noted that Cuba will boost collaboration in the pharmaceutical industry with Cambodia and will also visit Cambodia to exchange experiences and develop cooperation in 2023.