Cambodia Strengthens Eye Health System with Fred Hollows Foundation Partnership

Phnom Penh, September 8, 2026 (AKP) -- His Excellency Professor Chheang Ra, Minister of Health, received Mr. Ross Piper, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of The Fred Hollows Foundation (FHF), and his delegation on September 7, 2026. The meeting was held in a cordial and warm atmosphere. Both the Ministry of Health and The Fred Hollows Foundation will continue to strengthen and expand cooperation to support the sustainable development of the eye health system, aiming to eliminate preventable blindness. His Excellency Professor Minister expressed a warm welcome and high appreciation for the strong and sincere cooperation between the Ministry of Health and The Fred Hollows Foundation, which has contributed to the development of the eye health sector in Cambodia for nearly three decades, since 1998. His Excellency Professor Minister expressed his profound gratitude for the continued support of The Fred Hollows Foundation, including the investment and cooperation plan for 2026-2029, which will bring new potential and significantly contribute to transforming the face of the eye health sector in Cambodia in terms of human resource development, infrastructure, service delivery, and national policy formulation. Concurrently, His Excellency Professor Minister expressed his support for The Fred Hollows Foundation's vision to continue playing the role of a "long-term health system strengthening partner," which aligns with the direction of health system development and the principles of local leadership and ownership. During the discussion, both parties focused on key priority directions for cooperation in the eye health sector, including: 1. Strengthening governance and policies to ensure an effective and equitable eye health system. 2. Supporting the implementation of the National Strategic Plan on Blindness Prevention and Management and the preparation of provincial roadmaps in line with actual local needs. 3. Developing and strengthening human resources in the eye health sector, including human resource mapping, training, and the utilization of new technologies such as Teleophthalmology and Artificial Intelligence (AI) in eye care. 4. Expanding and strengthening primary eye health services, strengthening patient referral systems, and managing the quality of eye health services in both the public and private sectors. 5. Expanding school-based eye health programs nationwide to promote the eye health of children and support their studies. 6. Strengthening data and evidence systems to support effective policy formulation and decision-making. His Excellency Professor Minister requested The Fred Hollows Foundation to continue actively playing a role in mobilizing international resources, innovative technologies, and research for Cambodia, as well as expanding support to remote provinces and communities where vulnerable populations still have a high demand for eye health services. In response, Mr. Ross Piper thanked the Ministry of Health of Cambodia and expressed The Fred Hollows Foundation's commitment to continue strengthening and expanding cooperation with the Ministry of Health to support the sustainable development of the eye health system and ensure that more Cambodian people receive quality and equitable eye health care services. Both parties reaffirmed their commitment to continue close cooperation and expressed confidence that through joint strategic plans and cooperation, they will significantly contribute to reducing and eliminating preventable blindness and achieving the goal of universal health coverage for all Cambodian people. By Thet Chan Sothary (Source: Ministry of Health) © All rights reserved by Agence Kampuchea Presse 2018