Kandal (FN), Mar. 13 – Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet insisted the appointment of health professionals as directors of hospitals and health centres, speaking on Wednesday (Mar. 13) during an inauguration ceremony of Techo Sen Koh Thom Hospital, Kandal Province.

Samdech Thipadei underlined the crucial role of hospital and school directors, advocating for standardized selection processes and thorough evaluation.

“I have agreed and advocated for decentralization. The Ministry of Health now grants provinces the authority to appoint health centre directors. Consequently, the selection process involves the commune council nominating a candidate, followed by evaluation by the district governor before a decision is made at the provincial level,” said the premier.

Samdech Thipadei continued, “This decentralized approach extends to the selection of local health centre directors and school principals, empowering local leadership in plan implementation. However, overarching principles are established by the Ministry to maintain consistency across districts and ensure uniform standards among healthcare professionals."

“The appointment of school directors follows a similar process. Previously, the Ministry of Interior granted districts in Battambang province the authority to select school principals. This year, we conducted a trial, achieving a success rate of 60 per cent, but 40 per cent fell short of the standard. In the education and health sectors, even a 1% failure rate is perilous. Incorrect director appointments can lead to the misguidance of hundreds of thousands of children. Therefore, directors must bear the responsibility of upholding standards. Consequently, I have urged the Ministry of Interior to take a step back and implement two evaluations,” the premier underscored.

At the same time, Premier Hun Manet underscored the necessity of human capital for ensuring good health as prioritizing the welfare of the population stands as a cornerstone policy of the new mandate government.

On the occasion, Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet highlighted the imperative of enhancing hospitals and elevating the quality of doctors across all levels to deliver superior health services. Strengthening healthcare services means improving access to essential treatments. He called for people’s trust in the medical experts, and urged them to intensify their efforts in augmenting their capabilities.
=FRESH NEWS