Phnom Penh: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Civil Service H.E. Hun Many likened hospitals to the human body, emphasising the critical role of healthcare workers as its “backbone.”

According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, he made these remarks during the closing ceremony of a consultative workshop focused on the draft Royal Decree regarding the separation of functions within the health sector, held on April 7. “Hospitals are like the human body, while doctors, nurses, civil servants, and all personnel in the health sector are the backbone that supports it,” stated Deputy Prime Minister Hun Many.

He stressed the importance of aligning human resource management in the health sector with Prime Minister Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet’s principles: “Select the right people, assign the right roles, and ensure retention.” This approach necessitates robust planning in personnel management, transfers, motivation, training, and capacity development to bolster the health system’s ability to serve the public and effectively respond to future health crises.

The Deputy Prime Minister highlighted that the first phase of the Pentagonal Strategy’s second core priority addresses the broader needs of Cambodia’s public administration, particularly the health sector. This priority focuses on “strengthening human resource management and development in public service, based on meritocracy in recruitment, appointment, promotion, and ranking, along with appropriate incentives and comprehensive capacity development systems.”

H.E. Hun Many noted the close collaboration between the Ministry of Civil Service and the Ministry of Health in managing human resources, building civil servant capacity, and improving service delivery at health centres and referral hospitals.

Current collaborative initiatives include: Conducting competitive recruitment examinations for civil servants at level-one referral hospitals; Drafting regulatory documents related to the recruitment and management of civil servants under work agreements; Updating data on health officials at health centers to accurately assess current conditions and staffing needs.

These efforts reflect the Royal Government’s commitment to strengthening the healthcare system by ensuring the effective management and development of its essential workforce.