Cambodia Orders Stricter Crackdown on Unlicensed Private Clinics

Kandal Provincial Governor Kouc Chamroeun has called for strict inspections and enforcement measures against private clinics operating without proper authorization. Governor Chamroeun stated that all healthcare service providers must be adequately educated, possess the correct qualifications, and be sufficiently competent to ensure safe and harmless treatment for patients. He emphasized that the Kandal Provincial Administration will absolutely not permit individuals without licenses or qualifications to open clinics and engage in healthcare professions. Governor Chamroeun made these remarks on August 6, 2026, while presiding over a meeting on healthcare work inspection within Kandal Province. The meeting was attended by the provincial deputy governor, municipal and district authorities, leaders of the Provincial Department of Health, district operational health offices, provincial hospital directors, and numerous health center chiefs. He further noted that the Cambodian government under the seventh legislature, led by Prime Minister Hun Manet, consistently prioritizes the promotion of public health, placing 'People' as the first of five key priorities: 'People, Roads, Water, Electricity, and Technology.' This aims to ensure that citizens receive quality, safe, effective, and equitable healthcare services. The implementation of government policies has contributed to increased life expectancy, reduced maternal, infant, and under-five mortality rates, and the prevention of major infectious diseases such as HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria. Concurrently, the government is also focusing on social protection policies, particularly healthcare for poor families and vulnerable groups. Governor Chamroeun explained that economic growth and demographic changes have led to higher public expectations for healthcare service quality. The healthcare system is also facing challenges such as the rise of non-communicable diseases, mental health issues, and the demand for elder care. Therefore, the health sector must strengthen primary healthcare, adopt digital technologies, and implement effective reforms to achieve universal health coverage. All healthcare officials and medical practitioners must enhance their professional ethics. They should diligently explain patients' conditions and treatment procedures to patients and their families, listen to their concerns, and respond to all questions with understanding, warmth, confidence, and respect, ensuring patients feel safe and satisfied with the healthcare services. Furthermore, healthcare officials must absolutely refrain from discriminatory or arrogant behavior, or using their positions and medical procedures to threaten or create difficulties for patients, as healthcare service provision must be based on principles of equity, integrity, and humanity. The Provincial Department of Health of Kandal and all hospitals must diligently manage data on patients, deaths, and monitor seasonal infectious diseases such as dengue fever, animal bites or stings, and other illnesses to respond promptly and reduce risks to the public. During the occasion, the Provincial Governor also reminded and urged all health units to continue striving to understand and rigorously implement all eight indicators for evaluating model public services in the health sector. They must correct shortcomings and continuously enhance institutional quality to meet public expectations and contribute to building a healthcare system that is effective, safe, and highly trusted by the public. Source: AKP Khmer