AKP Phnom Penh, November 13, 2025 --

Cambodia’s Minister of Health, H.E. Prof. Chheang Ra, met with World Bank Country Director for Cambodia, Lao PDR, and Vietnam, Ms. Mariam Sherman, at the Ministry today to solidify their partnership aimed at enhancing healthcare service quality and accelerating progress toward Universal Health Coverage (UHC). 

Minister Chheang Ra extended a warm welcome to Ms. Sherman and expressed profound appreciation for the World Bank's consistent technical and financial support, which has been crucial in improving the well-being of the Cambodian populace. 

He specifically recognised the Bank’s significant contributions to several cornerstone initiatives, including the Cambodian Nutrition Project (CNP), the Pre-Service Education System Strengthening Project for Health Professionals, the Health Equity and Quality Improvement Project Phase II (H-EQIP II), and the COVID-19 Emergency Response Project.

Ms. Sherman reaffirmed the World Bank's enduring commitment to supporting Cambodia's health sector. 

She noted that the Bank's assistance in recent years has played a pivotal role in moving the nation closer to achieving UHC. Ms. Sherman also commended the Royal Government of Cambodia's strong dedication to promoting public health and highlighted the long-standing, robust partnership between the Ministry of Health and the World Bank.

The discussions primarily centred on the Ministry’s strategic priorities and identifying crucial areas for sustained collaboration with development partners, including the World Bank. A key focus of the meeting was a comprehensive review of the progress, challenges, and proposed solutions for ongoing and concluding projects, such as the CNP, the pre-service education strengthening initiative, and H-EQIP II.

Concluding the meeting, Minister Chheang Ra thanked the World Bank for its continued efforts and urged the Bank’s experts and technical teams to maintain close and efficient collaboration with project management units.

He stressed that the successful execution of these programmes is a vital component of the Ministry’s Health Strategic Plan and the Royal Government of Cambodia's Pentagonal Strategy, both of which are dedicated to realising universal access to high-quality healthcare for every Cambodian citizen.

By K. Rithy Reak