17 January 2024 Articles

Professors Lut Lynen and Wim Van Damme honoured in Cambodia

In a formal ceremony, ITM’s Director Lut Lynen and Professor of Health Policy Wim Van Damme were appointed Knights Grand Cross in the Cambodian Royal Order of Moniseraphon for their services to science. The ceremony was hosted by the State Secretary of the Ministry of Health of Cambodia.

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On 17 January 2024, professor and director Lut Lynen and her husband, professor Wim Van Damme, were honoured in Cambodia with the Royal Decoration, the Knights Grand Cross, the highest recognition awarded by the Monisaraphon*. They received the prestigious Knight Grand Cross award from His Majesty King Norodom Sihamoni, following a request by Prime Minister Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet of Cambodia. The award was presented by LO Veasnakiri, the Secretary of State of the Ministry of Health.

A decade-long collaboration

When Wim and Lut arrived in Cambodia with their two children in 1999, they could not have predicted a cooperation that would last for many years. Wim was active as medical coordinator at Doctors Without Borders (MSF) Belgium/Netherlands and worked closely with the National Institute of Public Health (NIPH), ITM’s partner in Cambodia. Among other things, he helped shape a treatment model in Siem Reap, where people with HIV were treated alongside patients with chronic conditions, to counteract stigmatisation. Lut contributed to the medical training of doctors and internists at the Sihanouk Hospital Center of HOPE and put her efforts into a clinical cohort study on HIV and tuberculosis. This marked the start of one of the largest HIV cohorts treated at the same centre in Cambodia.

“We could make a difference because our collaborative research projects were getting translated into policy and practices. Those projects were conducted together with national programmes and the Ministry of Health.”

Lut Lynen
Professor, ITM Director

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Impact beyond borders

ITM has been working closely with Cambodian partners and authorities since 1998, including the national malaria programme and the national AIDS programme. When Wim and Lut returned to Antwerp in 2003, their ties with Cambodia remained. By initiating capacity-building projects, supported by Directorate-General for Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid (DGD) and European research grants, several Cambodian doctors were able to continue their training at ITM. Cooperation between ITM and Cambodian partners extended to projects beyond disease focus, including health systems and financing, and non-communicable diseases.

In their acceptance speech, Wim and Lut praised Cambodia's achievements and the successful cooperation.

"We would like to thank our many ITM colleagues who helped write our story in Cambodia. We are very honoured by this recognition. Our heartfelt gratitude extends to our friends here in Cambodia for the warm welcome each time we step on Cambodian soil."

Wim Van Damme
Professor

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From left to right: (1) Associate Professor IR Por, Deputy Director of NIPH; (2) Thierry Dalimier, Honorary Consulate of Belgium in Cambodia; (3) Prof Dr Lut Lynen; (4) H.E. Dr LO Veasnakiri, Secretary of State of the Ministry of Health; (5) Prof Dr Wim Van Damme; (6) H.E. CHY Hong, Secretary of State of the Ministry of Health; (7) H.E. Prof. CHHEA Chhorvann, Director of NIPH © NIPH

With their retirement in view, Wim and Lut took the moment to thank the Belgian Ministry of Development Cooperation and the DGD for their support over the past 25 years. They praised the collaboration and the success of various institutions dedicated to enhancing research capacity. They also emphasised their commitment to sustaining impactful research in Cambodia.

A new generation of scientists and public health experts will continue the journey and face new challenges.

Congratulations to Wim Van Damme and Lut Lynen on this well-deserved honour!

*The Royal Order of Monisaraphon was established by King Sisowath of Cambodia on 1 February 1905. The award is given for achievements and outstanding support in the fields of education, art, science, literacy or social work.