Many Cambodians Prefer to Have Blood Tests before Marriage

By Buth Reaksmey Kongkea

In a sign of the times, many Cambodian brides and grooms-to-be insist their future partners take a health check, including blood tests to identify signs of HIV/AIDS.

Dr.Teng Kunthy, General Secretary of the National AIDS Authority (NAA), said that to his knowledge, every couple about to marry has taken advantage of the Voluntary Confidential Counseling Testing (VCCT) service offered by hospitals or health centers. Dr. Kunthy said this was a responsible reaction to the HIV/AIDS epidemic and illustrated the nation’s concern for personal health and the health of others.

He said, “I really appreciate our citizens who arrive voluntarily for VCCTs at the state hospitals, clinics and health centers prior to their marriages. The victory against HIV/AIDS depends upon the effective broadcast of vital information and the success of VCCTs demonstrates the effectiveness of our government’s policies in this respect.”

Dr. Phuong Viseth, VCCT Officer with the Institut Pasteur du Cambodge (IPC) at the Ministry of Health, in Phnom Penh, said that numbers using the service had shown gratifying increases every year as news of the important tests spread.

Dr. Viseth said that the reason why they had presented themselves for voluntary testing was because they were all fully aware of their responsibilities, of the various disease vectors into the human system and of the dangers of failing to diagnose the disease.

She told The Cambodia Weekly on October 13, 2008 that according to her information, to date at least 100 people per day (that’s 50 couples secure in the knowledge of a healthy marriage and family) have come for blood checks per day.

This marks a favorable comparison to last year’s figures where only 40 people requested blood tests on any given day.

Dr. Puy Ly, Chief of the VCCT program at Sa-Ang Health Center, Kandal province said that according to her records, between 1995 and 2003, between 30 to 70 percent of people about to be married had presented themselves for VCCT in the district.

Dr. Ly said that those who had not come for a VCCT did not think the tests were necessary in their particular cases; and as the tests are not compulsory, they had decided not to take them.

Dr. Chutema Ping, Clinic Director with the Phnom Penh based Reproductive Health Association of Cambodia (RHAC) said that recently, the number of people, including those contemplating marriage had increased.

She said that according to a recent RHAC report for 2008, 100,000 Cambodian people have come for HIV/AIDS counseling and blood testing at RHAC centers in districts and provinces across the country.

“I think it is good for Cambodians about to start a new life together to come to the health centers so that they can receive complete peace of mind prior to marriage. This shows that they all concerned to maintain their health and keen to accept responsibility.” she told The Cambodia Weekly by telephone.

Kasem Kolnary, Director of Cambodian HIV/AIDS Education and Care (CHEC), a local NGO in Phnom Penh, said that 90 percent of all adults living in her organization’s zone were aware of the basic facts concerning HIV/AIDS and its prevention. She was also pleased to report that all young couples had received the tests before marriage. She added that CHEC was established in 2001 and was currently working in five provinces including Kampong Chhnang, Kampong Cham, Kampot, Kandal and Prey Veng provinces.


Yang Sary, 26, a Motor-Taxi Driver in Phnom Penh, said that he and his girlfriend are going to be married in November 30, 2008.

Sary said, “I am very happy to be my fiancé’s intended. I am happier now that she knows my health is good. We have already had blood tests at a health centre in Phnom Penh. We are so pleased that we are clear of all disease. We know that we will live free from HIV/AIDS and in happiness”, he added.

Puth Darith, 43, a businessman living in Samrong Tong district, Kampong Speu province, said that he married in 2003. Darith, now the proud father of two, told the Cambodia Weekly that before his marriage, he and his wife had also taken VCCTs at a health center in Kampong Speu province.

He said that after the first blood test showed no signs of disease, he and his wife had continued to take the tests at a health center in Kampong Speu for the sake of mutual reassurance.

He said, “I think that to form a good married relationship and a happy family life, every one should go to meet the doctors and get their blood tested before marriage.”

According to recent Ministry of Health statistics, there are a total of 140 VCCT sites located in health centers and hospitals in all districts, cities and provinces across the Kingdom of Cambodia.