Phnom Penh: Dr. Mandy K. Cohen, Director of the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), visited Cambodia on February 7-8 to meet with senior Cambodian officials and public health partners. Her meetings with Minister of Health Professor Ra Chheang and officials at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation allowed Dr. Cohen to acknowledge the enduring 22-year partnership between the U.S. CDC and Cambodia. She emphasized the significance of ongoing cooperation in the prevention and early detection of respiratory diseases, along with public health emergency preparedness and response.

U.S. Ambassador to the Kingdom of Cambodia, W. Patrick Murphy, highlighted the visit's importance: “Dr. Cohen’s visit underscores the United States' longstanding commitment to improving public health in Cambodia. The CDC’s continued partnerships have enabled Cambodia to effectively combat HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, influenza, and rabies. Furthermore, the U.S. government, including the CDC and other health agencies operating in the Kingdom, assisted Cambodian authorities in launching one of the world's most successful early responses to the COVID-19 outbreak.”

During her visit, Dr. Cohen toured the Orussey Live Bird Market, the National Pediatric Hospital, the National Institute for Public Health Laboratory, and Cambodia CDC. These visits showcased the vigorous collaborative efforts to prevent, detect, and respond to emerging respiratory viral threats. She engaged in meaningful discussions on global health security and reiterated the U.S. CDC’s dedication to enhancing core public health capacities to safeguard the health and safety of Cambodia’s people.

Additionally, Dr. Cohen's itinerary included a visit to the Toul Kork Health Center in Phnom Penh, where she observed CDC’s local partnership efforts in combating HIV and other infectious diseases. A tour of the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum was also part of her visit, highlighting U.S. support for justice, accountability, and the preservation of memories of the victims of atrocities.