Cambodia’s Health Landscape: Progress and Persistent Gaps
Cambodia has made important strides in improving health outcomes over the past two decades. Yet challenges remain, particularly in ensuring that rural and urban populations have equal access to quality care. As of 2023, approximately 74% of the population resides in rural regions (World Bank Open Data, 2023). However, the distribution of health professionals is uneven. Nearly 40% of all physicians and 74% of specialist doctors are based in Phnom Penh, even though close to 80% of Cambodians live in rural communes (International Journal of Health Policy and Management, 2021). These imbalances continue to affect equity in health services and highlight the need for sustained, system-wide responses.
Engaging with Key Stakeholders in Phnom Penh
Recognizing these persistent challenges, GaneshAID visited Phnom Penh to engage with national stakeholders, including the National Immunization Program (NIP), National Maternal and Child Health Center (NMCHC), National Institute of Public Health (NIPH) (Ministry of Health), and the World Health Organization (WHO) Country Office. Through dynamic and engaging discussions, Cambodian experts provided us insights into Cambodia’s priorities and highlighted specific areas where GaneshAID could contribute in partnership with national institutions and development partners.
From left to right: Tommy Leab (Innovation Product Manager, GaneshAID), Samantha Yem (President, Samantha Keith Law Office), Dorothy Leab (Founder & CEO, GaneshAID), and Minh V. H. Le (Partnership Executive)
Together with in-country stakeholders, we have identified critical areas for the health system. These include improving data management and monitoring for immunization coverage, strengthening the learning management system (LMS) for workforce development, updating the National Immunization Strategy to focus on equity and zero-dose children, and ensuring the sustainability of digital solutions.
From left to right: Tommy Leab (Innovation Product Manager, GaneshAID), Dorina Yang (Senior Officer, NIP), Dorothy Leab (Founder & CEO, GaneshAID), and Dr. Vutthikol Yong (Deputy Manager, NIP).
Areas of Expertise Aligned with Cambodia’s Priorities
By engaging closely with these institutions, GaneshAID aims to co-create sustainable, country-led solutions. Our work will focus on key areas such as data triangulation and analytics for evidence-based planning and zero-dose tracking, capacity building in monitoring & evaluation and leadership to strengthen data use for decision-making, and development of digital health tools aligned with national systems to improve accessibility and coverage. These are not merely technical solutions—they reflect GaneshAID’s philosophy of listening, learning, and supporting local leadership, responding to local realities rather than imposing solutions.
GaneshAID and WHO Cambodia collaborating to strengthen health systems.
This commitment to partnership and humility is also a personal mission of our founder and CEO, Mrs. Dorothy Leab, who shares:
“Growing up in Phnom Penh, I witnessed firsthand the profound challenges of our health system. These early experiences instilled in me a lifelong drive to support people-centered, resilient systems that are locally led and shaped by systems thinking.”
Looking Ahead Together
Guided by these shared priorities and local leadership, GaneshAID extends its sincere appreciation to the National Immunization Program (NIP), National Maternal and Child Health Center (NMCHC), National Institute of Public Health (NIPH) (Ministry of Health), and the World Health Organization (WHO) Country Office, and all partners who welcomed its team and shared valuable insights. We remain committed to listening, learning, and co-developing solutions that not only address immediate needs but also contribute to a more inclusive and resilient health system. Together, Cambodia and its partners can pave the path toward better health for all communities, now and in the future.
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