Cancer has become one of the leading causes of premature death among Cambodians. According to Minster of Health Chheang Ra, doctors must carefully consider pre-operative intra-operative, and post-operative factors when treating cancer patients to ensure successful outcomes.
He highlighted this message as he addressed the opening ceremony of the 30th Annual Scientific Meeting-Cambodia Society of Surgery, themed “Challenging Surgical Oncology”, on November 15.
The conference’s theme responds directly to the National Cancer Control Plan 2025–2030 and national efforts to combat non-communicable diseases.
During the event, the Minister outlined several key priorities that require serious attention in cancer care.
These include ensuring cancer-related services are delivered with professionalism, equity and ethical integrity; strengthening infrastructure, technology and modern medical equipment; and improving targeted and timely referrals, accurate diagnosis and correct treatment.
Additional priorities include ensuring the quality and safety of cancer treatment in accordance with medical standards, expanding treatment services across all levels of hospitals, and strengthening training systems and medical information management.
The minister emphasised that surgeons must continuously study and collaborate. They must also implement the Surgical Safety Checklist, which plays a crucial role in reducing errors and risks.
“The success of a surgery is ultimately reflected in the patient’s full recovery, within an appropriate timeframe and with improved quality of life. Therefore, careful consideration is required before, during, and after surgery,” he said.
Safe and affordable surgery is a key policy of both the WHO and the health ministry, as well as the Cambodian government. Ensuring surgical safety and financial accessibility is essential to achieving the national roadmap toward universal health coverage.
The ministry reaffirmed that the government is committed to fighting cancer through increased public awareness, expanded prevention services, quality treatment and patient care. These efforts aim to protect the population from preventable cancers, reduce suffering and improve the quality of life for patients and their families.
