PHNOM PENH: The Minister of Social Affairs, Veterans and Youth Rehabilitation, Chea Somethy, said that in the first nine months of 2023, the state has provided rehabilitation services and support packages to about 20,293 persons with disabilities (PWD).

Speaking at the official launch of the ATscale project at the Cambodiana Hotel on the morning of October 26,Minister Chea Somethy said that the Royal Government of Cambodia has made the disability sector a priority by ratifying the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, as well as the development and implementation of laws, policies and other national and international legal documents that strengthen health and welfare services for PWD in alignment with Prime Minister Hun Manet’s Pentagon Strategy.

The Minister added that Cambodia is continuing to sustain physical rehabilitation services for PWD in the first nine months of 2023, with about 20,293 people with disabilities receiving free rehabilitation services of all kinds, along with support for travel, meals and accommodation during the service period. The government also provided 7,626 physical support devices.

The Minister also said that 2,167 PWD, including 510 women, received vocational training from the state vocational training center on key subjects in line with market demand in Cambodia, while as many as 551 deaf and blind people learned sign language and Braille through state and partner curricula.

"Overall, the Royal Government pays special attention to the health of the vulnerable, especially the disabled," he said.

In addition, PWD benefit from the national social assistance program provided by the government.

According to Minister Chea Somethy, the total disability rate in the Kingdom of Cambodia is 4.9% of the total population (according to the 2019 census). The main causes of disability are malnutrition, genetics, traffic accidents, occupational accidents, landmines and unexploded ordnance, violence, disasters and aging, depending on demographics and times.