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On December 20, 2014, H. E. Sar Kheng, Deputy Minister and Acting Prime Minister of the Royal Government of Cambodia accompanied by H. E. Ieng Mouly Senior Minister, Chairman of the National AIDS Authority (NAA) and H. E. Mam Bun Heng, Minister of Health paid a courtesy visit to approximately 700 villagers of Roka Commune, Sangke District, Battambang Province. After listening to the report and welcome remarks by H. E. Chan Sophal, Governor of Battambang Province, H. E. Senior Minister, Chairman of the National AIDS Authority told the villagers not to fear too much of the HIV transmission cases in the Commune as we have an effective system for Antiretroviral Therapy (ART), skilled Medical Doctors (MD) and enough ARV drugs although the Global Fund is decreasing some of its financial support nowadays. H. E. Senior Minister affirmed that the Royal Government has allocated one million US dollars fund for 2015 to contribute in purchasing ARV drugs in the annual drugs expanses of ten millions US dollars per year. The Royal Government will allocate the budget of 1.2 and 1.5 million US dollars in purchasing ARV drugs for 2016 and 2017 respectively. So villagers who have tested positive need not to fear too much as their IDs would be automatically registered in the list of people to receive ART.

 

H. E. Senior Minister raised an example of a case of transmission in a village in Pakistan in 2008 where almost all villagers infected due to a nonprofessional local medical service provider used syringes and needles which did not conform to medical standard. Furthermore, H. E. Senior Minister appealed to the media such as newspapers and TVs to keep infected people identity confidential in order to avoid discrimination against them. The media must not reveal the identity of the victims. The Law on Prevention and Control of HIV/AIDS epidemic prohibited the disclosure of the confidentiality of the people living with HIV and the discrimination against them.  H. E. Mam Bun Heng, Minister of Health, mentioned similarly to H. E. Senior Minister and assured infected villagers that the patients will receive the treatment free of charge.    

 

H. E. Sar Kheng, Deputy Prime Minister in his capacity as Acting Prime Minister, in the name of the Royal Government, assured to take care and treat all infected people so that they would live normal lives as other people. H. E. Deputy Prime Minister and Acting Prime Minister appealed to the media including newspapers and TVs to keep confidentiality of HIV infected people identities and to prevent discrimination against them. 

 

H. E. Sar Kheng, Deputy Prime Minister and Acting Prime Minister, in the name of the Royal Government brought humanitarian relief and distributed to the villagers participated in the gathering then visited Roka Health Center and exchanged views with its staff there.        

 

 

H. E. Sar Kheng Pays a Visit to the people of Roka Commune Sangke District, Battambang Province (Broadcasted by TVK)