The Health Ministry has called on people to pay closer attention to their health to protect themselves from non-communicable diseases (NCDs) which it said have caused high rates of deaths in the country.

Ministry secretary of state York Sambath last week said this during a press conference on the ministry’s achievements over the past five years.

She said the ministry had improved the quality, efficiency and effectiveness of healthcare services provided to the people.

“Our health strategy is mainly focused on reducing illnesses and deaths among mothers, infants and children, and illnesses and deaths caused by communicable diseases, NCD and public health problems.

“In order to accomplish this, we have significantly strengthened the health infrastructure of the kingdom,” she added.

She said the Ministry of Economy and Finance had contributed resources so her ministry could continue to its work, notably on cancer.

Health ministry spokesperson Or Vandine said that besides concerns about infectious diseases, the evolution of NCDs was worrying.

“The increased occurrences of NCDs are a result of changes to people’s lifestyles. Improving public health and reducing the instances of these diseases is relatively simple, however,” she said.

“People need to follow a healthy diet and make sure they get regular exercise.”

When it came to liver disease, Communicable Disease Control Department director Ly Sovann said Cambodia would increase the use of laboratories throughout the country.

 - ANN