Organisation Profile & History

There are two ways to present MEDICAM: In terms of membership and role, it is one of the biggest umbrella organisation in Cambodia, with one-hundred-Ten organisations represented (as of 01 Jan. 2001). But in terms of budget and staff, it is one of the smallest organisation in the country, with a yearly budget of approximately 130,000 US$,Two second-hand cars, and no more than 9 staff (including one expatriate). History MEDICAM was created in July 1989 on the initiative of a score of NGO leaders while the country was still in Western nations' diplomatic isolation and economic embargo. There existed then no platform of exchange of information among health agencies. The original purpose of the set up was mainly to exchange information with the health agencies working in the Thai-Cambodian border camps. A few meetings later the consortium took its name (MEDIcal + CAMbodia = MEDICAM), and thanks to the energy and good will of the pioneers, the association slowly took shape: A General Assembly of members convened, it adopted a Charter (by-laws), and a Steering Committee was elected. In 1991 the Ministry of Health of the then-State of Cambodia (SOC) formally recognised the association as the umbrella organisation officially representing the NGOs active in the health sector in Cambodia. As such MEDICAM Representatives are invited to take part in most official meetings related to health. This is here a golden opportunity for NGOs to actively contribute to both policymaking and implementation of the Health Reform, engaged by the government since 1996 Until 1996, the association was ran by a handful of energetic NGO leaders who volunteered of their time -- while most of them were already in charge of other NGO's large programmes!  In June 1996, upon request from the General Assembly, the Steering Committee succeeded to gather sufficient funds (ICCO, MSF-Holland/Amsterdam, PACT and WHO) to allow the recruitment of an expatriate Executive Director as well as a Cambodian counterpart (M.D.), and two administrative and support staff. With this more functional secretariat, MEDICAM was entering a new era... By the beginning of 2000, MEDICAM represents approximately 95% of the NGOs active in the health sector.  Due to the rapid membership growth and activities expansions in 1998 and 1999 that adjustments will need to be made in 2000. The active participation by the membership in health policy debates, the re-establishing of working groups, the full revival of the technical Sub-CoComs of the Ministry of Health and the building of the institutional capacity constitute the main work plan of the three next years. Nowadays MEDICAM is seen as a focal point for information sharing in the health sector in Cambodia and plays an active and recognised advocacy role in the kingdom. MEDICAM also greatly enhances the collaboration between the NGOs and the Ministry of Health, the bilateral, multilateral agencies and International Organisations. The situation in Cambodia in the health sector is changing. The new health coverage plan, the development of models for primary health care, the build-up of a health financing system, the set-up of operational districts, the new drugs distribution, new curricula for public health staff, etc are among the many topics being examined as parts of a new national strategy for health care. The NGO community as a whole is without doubt the group with the most solid experience in working at the District and Health Center levels. The structure of the Ministry of Health Co-ordinating Committee, with its subcommittees, allows NGOs to bring forward this experience to the benefit of the policy makers at the central level.