Cambodian Health Minister Urges Enhanced Care for Non-Communicable Disease Patients

Professor Dr. Chheang Ra, Minister of Health, has called on leaders, health officials, and all relevant parties to continue strengthening the implementation of patient safety policies, the development of primary healthcare systems, and to pay high attention to the care of non-communicable disease (NCD) patients, in order to contribute to achieving national and global goals. This call was made on September 17, 2026, during the World Patient Safety Day, themed "Safe Care for Non-Communicable Diseases" with the slogan: "Safe Care for Life!" Professor Dr. Chheang Ra stated that the observance of Patient Safety Day aligns with the Cambodian government's "Pentagon Strategy - Phase 1," which considers the promotion of people's well-being as a key priority in human resource development. Furthermore, he emphasized the importance of ensuring patient safety in healthcare, especially for NCDs. The Minister provided four key recommendations to health officials in caring for patients, particularly those with NCDs. These include: 1. Building a "safety culture." 2. Enhancing awareness and attention among health leaders, health officials, and the public regarding the challenges of patient safety, especially concerning NCDs. 3. Promoting the participation of patients and communities in identifying safety risks and jointly building solutions for patients in the provision of healthcare services. 4. Health officials at all levels, who are the direct bearers of this work, should continue to pay attention to patients, especially chronic patients who return for services at health facilities, to make access easier. Globally, NCDs are the leading cause of death, accounting for approximately three-quarters (75%) of all deaths. World data indicates that about one in ten patients experiences an accident or unintentional harm at some point in their healthcare journey, and importantly, nearly half of these accidents are preventable. Source: Kampuchea Thmey Local