Siem Reap Province: Patient Safety as Foundation for Healthcare Quality and Public Trust

Siem Reap Provincial Deputy Governor, Phem Ratha, stated during the 2026 World Patient Safety Day event organized by the Siem Reap Provincial Referral Hospital on September 23, 2026, that patient safety is a crucial pillar in building the quality of healthcare services and strengthening public trust in the public health system. He clarified that patient safety is not merely a technical medical issue but a core factor for measuring the quality of healthcare services and building public confidence. "No quality can come from unsafe services," he stated, emphasizing that the health of the people is the heart of governance, requiring all parties to jointly build a lifelong safe healthcare system. He further explained that the theme for World Patient Safety Day 2026, "Safe Care for Non-Communicable Diseases," and the slogan "Lifelong Safe Care" are highly relevant to the current social health situation, as non-communicable diseases such as heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, and cancer require long-term and continuous treatment and monitoring. The Deputy Governor stressed that patients facing these chronic diseases must receive the highest safety care to reduce risks and prevent avoidable incidents. He also announced that the provincial administration will continue to promote education and awareness campaigns for the public, enabling patients and their families to understand their rights and roles in partnering with medical teams to ensure the safety of healthcare. Notably, illuminating the provincial hospital building with orange light is considered a symbol of the joint commitment between the provincial administration, the hospital, and international partner JCI to give the highest priority to the safety and lives of the people. Pharmacist Lok Lamlao, Director of the Siem Reap Provincial Referral Hospital, stated that the care for non-communicable diseases necessitates long-term treatment and monitoring, requiring a high level of safety. She affirmed that the Siem Reap Provincial Referral Hospital always considers "patient safety" as the primary foundation and a significant commitment in providing quality healthcare services. She added that the observance of this day aims to raise global awareness about patient safety, strengthen collaboration between medical teams, patients, and families, and prevent avoidable risks and harm, thereby ensuring that healthcare is more effective and safer for the people.