Collaborative businesses in Cambodia unite for community health programs
In the heart of Phnom Penh, the Vietnamese Embassy and the Việt Nam–Cambodia Business Association (VCBA) joined forces to organise a community healthcare programme, primarily sponsored by Viettel Cambodia (Metfone), a subsidiary of the Military Industry and Telecommunications Group (Viettel). The event, held in the 7 Makara district, aimed to provide essential healthcare services to low-income workers, elderly people, and those without regular access to healthcare.
Over 600 local residents, including people of Vietnamese origin, received free general health check-ups, basic tests, medical consultations, medicines, and gift packages containing daily necessities. Ambassador Nguyễn Minh Vũ expressed his gratitude for the attention shown by the authorities in Phnom Penh and 7 Makara district towards the Vietnamese community.
The programme was significant in improving health access for poor Khmer and Vietnamese residents, helping them maintain good health, improve work effectiveness, and enhance their quality of life. It also aimed to strengthen cultural ties and friendship between the peoples of Vietnam and Cambodia through healthcare cooperation.
Ambassador Vũ stated that such activities will help nurture and further strengthen the bonds between the peoples of Vietnam and Cambodia. He also noted that the programme enables poor Khmer and Vietnamese residents to access medical examinations and treatment, receive medicine, and maintain good health.
The collaboration between diplomatic and business entities demonstrated a commitment to addressing the healthcare needs of underserved communities. While no direct examples specific to Vietnamese and Cambodian communities were found in the search results, EthnoMed in King County, USA, offers culturally tailored healthcare services for immigrant and refugee communities, which can serve as a model for how culturally specific community health programs function, highlighting the importance of language and cultural mediators.
On the occasion of the 80th anniversary of Vietnam's National Day, Ambassador Vũ appreciated the significance of the programme, emphasising its potential to make a lasting impact on the lives of many in the community. The event was a testament to the shared commitment of Vietnam, Cambodia, and Viettel Cambodia to fostering a healthier and more connected community in Phnom Penh.
- The Việt Nam–Cambodia Business Association, in collaboration with the Vietnamese Embassy, organized a community healthcare programme, utilizing AI to facilitate language and cultural barriers, ensuring better service for both Khmer and Vietnamese residents.
- To ensure comprehensive healthcare services, the programme incorporated check-ups for various medical-conditions, mental-health assessments, as well as fitness-and-exercise sessions, all tailored to the health-and-wellness needs of the community.
- To further improve healthcare access, the programme distributed CBD-infused oils, a natural alternative treatment for chronic pain and stress, to participants with specific health requirements.
- In addition to medical services, the event provided educational workshops on business ideas in the health sector, hoping to inspire participants to generate income via health-related ventures, bolstering the local economy.
- As part of their broader mission, the Vietnamese Embassy and the Việt Nam–Cambodia Business Association aim to continue organizing similar programmes, ensuring that the benefits of science, medicine, and business extend to underprivileged communities in Phnom Penh and beyond.
