Stung Treng: The Minister of Health leads the celebration of the National Malaria Day, reiterating Cambodia’s ambitious target to eradicate the preventable disease by 2025. H.E. Professor Chheang Ra highlighted the target along with strategic recommendations in his address during the observation of the event in Stung Treng province on April 25.

According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, the Provincial Governor of Stung Treng H.E. Sar Soputra, World Health Organisation Representative in Cambodia Dr. Marianna Trias, and United Nations Office for Project Services Country Manager for Cambodia Ms. Eda Kraja were among the dignitaries at the celebration of the National Malaria Day themed ‘Malaria Ends with Us: Reinvest, Reimagine, Reignite.’

The minister noted that the event aimed to accelerate progress towards malaria elimination by reviving efforts at all levels, from policy to action in grassroots communities, by securing more investment and necessary campaigns with innovative approaches to address challenges more effectively.

To expedite Cambodia’s achievement of the set target to completely eliminate malaria by 2025, he necessitated stronger awareness-raising efforts, including by promoting role models as individual members in the community to drive the positive change.

H.E. Professor Chheang Ra took the opportunity to emphasise the preventive measures to be carried out by community members and the supporting roles of the health authority as well as village health volunteers, especially before, during, and after staying in the forest.

Appreciating the progress made so far, H.E. Minister thanked the local authorities, his line departments, and development partners for their hard work and encouraged them to keep up with the achievement and join forces to meet the malaria elimination ambition.