Press Releases
U.S. Embassy Recognizes International Day of Action for Women’s Health
Released in Phnom Penh, May 28, 2009
The Government of the United States of America takes great interest in women’s health and the Embassy commends all health organizations in Cambodia that are working to further women’s health in the country.
The International Day of Action for Women’s Health was founded in 1987 following a summit of the Women’s Global Health Network for Reproductive Rights (WGNRR) in Costa Rica. The WGNRR is a network of 2000 autonomous organizations and individuals in 157 countries. The WGNRR partners with the U.S. Government to develop and organize health programs benefitting women worldwide.
The U.S. Government, through the USAID, manages a broad health related portfolio in Cambodia. We believe that combining women’s empowerment with access to health services strengthens the individual and the family. USAID programming activities are closely integrated and cover a range of areas, including maternal, reproductive and child health. These programs focus on the HIV/AIDS treatment and prevention as well as concerns related to other infectious diseases such as TB, Avian and human influenza, malaria and dengue fever.
Also, over the last several years, the U.S. Government has worked hard to help restore health services in Cambodia. Previously, maternal mortality rates in Cambodia ranked amongst the highest in South East Asia, resulting in about 2,000 deaths each year.
In response to these mortality rates, over 600 midwives were trained in Life Saving Skills in 2005, up from 322 in 2002, resulting in an increase in deliveries attended by trained health personnel from 32% to 44% in 2005. In 2008, through USG support program 3,900 health staff were trained in maternal and newborn health.
The U.S. Government through USAID continually adapts its programs in order to respond to the needs of Cambodians in rural and urban areas for better health care. We take the today’s “call to action” seriously and look forward to working with our partners in the Royal Government and in the NGO sector to continue helping women and their families in Cambodia.
