Prime Minister Hun Manet emphasises the rapid development of Cambodia’s healthcare system over the last 40 years, urging the public to use local services. He also chided those who criticised the Kingdom’s medical sector.

Speaking at the inauguration of the Techo Sen Koh Thom Hospital in Kandal province on March 13, Manet noted that some commentators have criticised Cambodia’s claims of a vastly improved healthcare system.

He explained that in the last 40 years, the government has improved medical service provision by training more medical professionals, equipping health facilities with modern equipment and guaranteeing a reliable supply of high-quality medication.

“This is how Cambodia has improved the health sector. We have strengthened its ability to provide treatment and assist the public in all locations,” he said.

“I call on all citizens to have faith in our medical professionals. No one can ensure that every possible disease can be treated successfully, but we should not downplay the advances of our health system and make generalisations, just because of one or two cases that happened at private or state health institutions,” he added. 

Manet raised the example of the dedicated public service provided during the Covid-19 pandemic, when the vast majority of patients were saved thanks to the “excellent” work of the Kingdom’s own medical professionals.

He explained that the majority of Cambodians seek medical treatment at local hospitals, with only a “small portion” receiving treatment abroad. He hit back at some commentators who have criticised the Kingdom’s claims of a vastly improved healthcare system. 

“They ask why so many Cambodians travel overseas to get treatment if the health system here has improved so much? I say we must consider the small percentage of people who travel abroad for healthcare, and compare it to the millions who are treated locally. It is a tiny portion,” he said.

“Our local medical teams treat millions of people every year, although people who have the resources to travel abroad sometimes do so. Many Canadians go to the US for medical services, while Americans often go elsewhere. Even some Japanese people fly overseas to access healthcare, if they can afford,” he added.

Manet noted the “rapid” improvement of the Cambodian healthcare sector, noting that some foreigners have even sought treatment in the Kingdom. He gave examples of several cases where this has occurred, from heart operations down to dental services.

He also described how several South Korean doctors had offered their appreciation for Cambodian medics despite a lack of modern equipment.

While praising the progress of the sector, the prime minister also reminded all health entities, from commune and district health centres to provincial referral hospitals, to adhere to their standard operating procedures and professional code of ethics.

He also instructed the Ministry of Health to follow up and monitor that this is happening.

Health minister Chheang Ra also spoke at the event.

He explained that the ministry, in collaboration with its partners, is working to improve the quality of health services, in order to accomplish the seventh-mandate government and UN goal of providing universal health coverage (UHC).

“Primary healthcare through education and consistent disease prevention are essential. We will also strengthen regulations of public and private health facilities to ensure that all people receive quality, safe and effective healthcare, while earning public trust in the government’s healthcare systems,” he said. 

Techo Sen Koh Thom Hospital, constructed at a cost of $10 million, is equipped with 150 beds and is expected to provide medical services to around 600,000 people.

The hospital has three new buildings with a total floor space of 12,545sqm, and is equipped with a state-of-the-art Hospital Information System, as well as other modern medical equipment.

Koh Thom district, where the new facility is located, currently has 12 health centres and a district referral hospital, but due to the age, the government decided to build the new regional hospital, which will also serve many people from nearby provinces. 

Phin Sophin, a 42-year-old from Koh Thom, is elated that her hometown now has such a modern hospital. 

“Even though I am not currently living there, it is still my hometown, and my parents and siblings still reside there. In the past, when they got ill, they normally travelled to Phnom Penh, or even went to Vietnam to get treatment,” she said.

She hopes the new facility will meet her family’s future healthcare needs, and that it will provide timely, effective services, so people no longer feel they need to travel abroad.