Cambodia Pushes for Patient Safety Culture to Enhance Healthcare Quality

The Ministry of Health is promoting the establishment of a safety culture in healthcare, starting from primary care at the local level. This was emphasized by Minister of Health, Professor Chheang Ra, during the celebration of World Patient Safety Day on September 17, 2026, themed 'Safe Care for Noncommunicable Diseases' and the slogan 'Safe Care for Patients!'. The event was attended by Mr. MISUMI Takahito, Chargé d'Affaires ad interim of the Embassy of Japan in Cambodia, Dr. Marianna Trias, WHO Representative to Cambodia, along with approximately 320 participants in person and via Zoom, including national and provincial hospital leaders, district and health center officials, the Joint Commission International (JCI), and development partners. Globally, Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs) are the leading cause of death, accounting for about three-quarters (75%) of all deaths. World data indicates that approximately 1 in 10 patients experiences an accident or adverse event at some point during healthcare, and importantly, nearly half of these events are preventable. The national celebration of World Patient Safety Day is supported by the World Health Organization (WHO), the Japanese government through JICA, and technical support from Joint Commission International and other partners. The implementation of the Cambodian Hospital Accreditation Standard (CHAS) Version 2 incorporates patient safety as a core element and focuses on service quality. Furthermore, the National Policy on Patient Safety and the National Action Plan 2026-2030 are undergoing in-depth review, which will set a unified national strategic direction from national hospitals to health centers. This celebration aligns with the 'Pentagonal Strategy-Phase 1' of the Cambodian government under the wise leadership of Prime Minister Hun Manet, which prioritizes the promotion of people's well-being as a key factor in human resource development. Moreover, ensuring patient safety in care, especially for NCDs. During the event, the Minister provided four key recommendations for effective implementation: 1) Building a 'Safety Culture'; 2) Enhancing awareness and attention among health leaders, health officials, and the public regarding patient safety challenges, especially concerning NCDs; 3) Promoting patient and community participation in identifying safety risks and jointly developing solutions for patients in healthcare service delivery; and 4) Health officials at all levels, who bear the direct burden of this work, should continue to pay close attention to patients, especially chronic patients who return for services at health facilities, to make their access to care easier. The Minister appealed to all leaders, health officials, and stakeholders to continue strengthening the implementation of patient safety policies, developing the primary healthcare system, and paying close attention to the care of NCD patients to contribute to achieving national and global goals. Source: Ministry of Health