South Korea, through the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), has announced major strides in strengthening Cambodia’s health system, with a focus on infrastructure, capacity building and community-level care.
“The projects are not only improving medical services but also empowering health workers and communities to build a more resilient and equitable future,” it explained.
KOICA’s ongoing Health Equity and Quality Improvement Project – Phase 2 (H-EQIP 2) has provided a safety net for millions of Cambodians, with over two million cases using the Health Equity Fund (HEF) in the first half of 2025.
“The project also raised service quality, with 885 health facilities scoring at least 50 per cent in the national external assessment under the Quality Enhancement Management Tool II,” said an agency statement.
In Cambodia’s North-Eastern Region, the Maternal and Child Health project has delivered dramatic results.
The agency said deliveries attended by skilled health staff increased by more than 80 per cent, pushing service satisfaction rates to 97 per cent.
Over 74,000 people took part in community outreach activities promoting nutrition, hygiene and safe childbirth practices.
KOICA is also investing in medical training to ensure sustainability. At the National Paediatric Hospital, 97 healthcare professionals received specialised training in paediatric haematology-oncology, neurology, allergy, respiratory disease and infection control.
In addition, 23 doctors from Preah Ang Duong Hospital participated in advanced ENT training programs in South Korea, enhancing local capacity to provide specialised care.
KOICA’s work goes beyond hospital care.
In Thma Koul district, in Battambang province, a non-communicable disease (NCD) programme screened more than 1,000 residents and delivered treatment services to about 47,300 people in 2024, alongside outreach campaigns reaching 11,000 students and teachers.
In Kampong Speu’s Ang Snoul district, a pioneering disability-inclusive healthcare project trained medical staff, delivered primary care through home visits and offered early intervention for 300 at-risk individuals.
“Our partnership with Cambodia is a testament to our shared vision for a healthier, more prosperous nation,” said Choi Moon Jung, country director of KOICA Cambodia.
“By investing in both modern infrastructure and human capacity, we are helping to build a resilient healthcare system that will serve the Cambodian people for generations to come,” she added.
KOICA’s previous projects have supported Siem Reap Provincial Hospital to improve maternal and child health, helped Batheay Referral Hospital achieve full CPA2 capacity, and strengthened Cambodia’s referral system by supplying ambulances across 12 provinces and the central level.
Since its establishment in 1991, KOICA has been a key partner in Cambodia’s development, supporting initiatives across health, education and infrastructure.
