PHNOM PENH: Currently, more than 99% of Cambodian women give birth assisted by a professional health care provider. At the same time, the infant mortality rate has dropped rapidly over the past two decades.

Cambodia released a statement on health achievements at the World Health Organization’s (WHO) 75th Anniversary Celebration on 7 April 2023. It reported that the number of women giving birth in the presence of a specialized healthcare provider has significantly increased since the year 2000, when only one in three women had the privilege.

The report saw that the infant mortality rate has dropped from 37 out of every 1,000 live births to eight, while the under-five mortality rate has dropped drastically from 124 per 1,000 to 16. The country has seen a more than 50% decrease in child mortality overall between 2014 and 2021-2022, which is faster than the global average and achieves Cambodia's Sustainable Development Goals eight years prior to the deadline.

In celebration of World Health Day, WHO representative to Cambodia, Dr. Li Ailan, congratulated the Royal Government of Cambodia on its remarkable achievements in improving the health and well-being of the Cambodian people and in leading the cause of "health for all".

"The World Health Organization is very proud to be a trusted partner of the Royal Government of Cambodia and the Cambodian people in achieving this success," she said.

Cambodia has achieved many remarkable health achievements in recent decades which are reflected in the country’s life expectancy increasing to 76 years old in 2021-2022.