Cambodia's Health Ministry Declares Nurses the 'Core Force' of Healthcare System

The Ministry of Health of Cambodia has declared nurses as the 'core force' and 'heart' of the healthcare system. Speaking at the Siem Reap Provincial Nursing Council Conference on July 25, 2026, in Siem Reap Province, Madam Professor Im Sreytikarya, Secretary of State of the Ministry of Health, stated that nurses are the closest professionals to patients, being with them 24 hours a day. Madam Professor Sreytikarya further explained that nurses not only provide medical care but also offer encouragement, compassion, and attentive care with empathy. Therefore, strengthening the capacity, qualifications, and professional ethics of nurses is a cornerstone for ensuring the quality and safety of healthcare services in Cambodia. She added that the successes being witnessed today are the result of the collective efforts of everyone involved. This forum is highly valuable for exchanging knowledge, experiences, research findings, and new innovations within the nursing field. Dr. Iab Bunleoun, Deputy Director of the Siem Reap Provincial Department of Health, who is responsible for joint work, stated that in the context of rapid advancements in science and technology, adopting innovations in patient care is crucial for enhancing service efficiency, reducing risks, and ensuring patient safety. Furthermore, strengthening professional competence, continuous education, research, evidence-based practice, and the use of digital technology are fundamental for improving the quality of care. Mr. Touch Polponak, President of the Siem Reap Provincial Nursing Council, said that the conference was organized under the theme 'Strengthening Cambodian Nursing Profession: Innovation, Quality, and Patient Safety.' Its objective is to promote the exchange of knowledge, experiences, research findings, and new innovations for the development of the nursing profession to be of higher quality, efficiency, and responsive to evolving healthcare demands. He expressed confidence that through the presentations, discussions, and experience sharing at the conference, all participants will gain new knowledge and ideas that can be applied to enhance the quality of patient care and further strengthen the nursing profession in Cambodia for a more robust and resilient future.