AKP Phnom Penh, February 27, 2026 -- Cambodian Health Minister H.E. Professor Chheang Ra called for a nationwide tightening of medical ethics and service quality during the inauguration of a new provincial healthcare facility on Thursday, as the Royal Government moves to modernise its rural medical infrastructure.

Speaking at the opening of the new Outpatient Examination and Consultation Building at Preah Netr Preah Referral Hospital in Banteay Meanchey province, the Minister signaled that physical infrastructure must be matched by professional accountability.

The Minister has put forward the following key directives as top priorities:

All medical practitioners, including those in the private sector, must maintain active registration with the Professional Council; Strict directives were issued to ensure service delivery remains free of discrimination, specifically targeting improved access for underprivileged citizens; Local authorities were tasked with implementing rigorous hygiene and maintenance protocols for state-of-the-art equipment.

"This development will make healthcare services more convenient... significantly reducing the need for residents to travel long distances for medical care," Minister Chheang Ra said, noting the facility's role in the Royal Government’s broader social protection strategy.

The Minister also urged for the expansion of the Health Equity Fund, a Royal Government initiative aimed at providing free healthcare to the poor, to ensure that the "new building translates into safe and effective outcomes for all."

For his part, Provincial Governor H.E. Oum Reatrey characterised the facility as a critical advancement for the region's health sector, which has seen increased investment as Cambodia seeks to decentralise high-quality medical services away from the capital, Phnom Penh.

By K. Rithy Reak