AKP Phnom Penh, August 26, 2025 --  

The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) Cambodia, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health (MoH), hosted a Knowledge Sharing Forum on Advanced Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) at Preah Ang Duong Hospital, with the participation of around 100 officials from the MoH and representatives from provincial and referral hospitals.

According to KOICA Cambodia Office’s press release made public on Aug. 25, the forum marked the opening day of the five-day “Capacity Building for Training of Trainers on Advanced IPC” programme, an important milestone in the Korean Government’s multi-year initiative through KOICA to strengthen national health security.

The forum was presided over by H.E. Lim Dara, Secretary of State at the MoH, and Ms. CHOI Moon Jung, Country Director of KOICA Cambodia Office. H.E. Luo Lykheang, Director of the Preah Ang Duong Hospital, also attended the forum and graced the occasion with his presence.

In her opening remarks, Ms. CHOI Moon Jung highlighted the significance of the programme, stating: “On behalf of the Government of the Republic of Korea, KOICA is honored to work hand in hand with the Ministry of Health to advance infection prevention and control in Cambodia. This training goes beyond a simple programme—it represents a vital mission to improve healthcare standards. By providing education and policy recommendations tailored to Cambodia’s context, KOICA is committed to contributing to the health and well-being of the Cambodian people.” 

A key feature of the forum was the sharing of experiences by KOICA alumni who had participated in last year’s IPC training in Korea. Their panel discussion and presentations provided concrete insights and practical lessons for this year’s participants. The session covered a wide range of topics, including recent IPC achievements and future action plans, practical infection prevention practices at the hospital level, and the application of advanced IPC measures at provincial hospitals. These were presented by Ms. Ear Daravy from the MoH, along with representatives from Preah Ang Duong Hospital and Kampong Chhnang referral hospital.

Reflecting on her experience in last year’s training in Korea, Ms. Ear Daravy said, “The knowledge and skills I gained have helped me develop practical IPC action plans, and sharing these lessons with colleagues today is a valuable opportunity to inspire improvements.” Looking ahead, this year’s participants expressed their expectations to learn from the alumni’s experiences and to apply advanced infection prevention and control practices in their own hospitals to improve patient safety.”

This year’s training programme, running through Aug. 29, aims to equip 30 health professionals not only with advanced IPC skills but also with the capacity to serve as trainers within their own institutions. By cascading this knowledge nationwide, the programme is expected to strengthen the overall capacity of Cambodia’s healthcare workforce and contribute to building a safer, more resilient health system.

This forum also reflected KOICA’s broader commitment to strengthening human resources in Cambodia through initiatives such as the Capacity Improvement and Advancement for Tomorrow (CIAT) Programme.

The CIAT Program focuses on building the capacity of policymakers, public officials, and experts to drive economic and social development. Since its launch in 1994, CIAT has played a vital role in promoting the exchange of expertise and technology, benefiting more than 4,000 Cambodian officials who have completed training programmes in Korea.

By Phal Sophanith