The Korea Foundation for International Healthcare (KOFIH) successfully opened its 3-day Annual Planning Workshop in Pursat Province on December 12, with key stakeholders gathering to discuss the direction of KOFIH’s ongoing projects and initiatives.

The workshop focused on strategic planning for KOFIH-supported healthcare projects regarding Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD), Communicable Diseases Control (CDC) and Emergency Obstetric and Neonatal Care (EmONC) for the upcoming year, with a special emphasis on strengthening the healthcare workforce and health system in Cambodia. 

KOFIH, a governmental agency under the Ministry of Health and Welfare of the Republic of Korea, has been supporting the healthcare system in Cambodia by working hand in hand with the ministry. Since 2011, its initial focus was on a maternal and child healthcare project in Battambang Province. Over the years, KOFIH has expanded its support to various healthcare projects across Cambodia to enhance the country’s healthcare system.   

The first day of the workshop began with an introduction to KOFIH’s mission and vision, highlighting its ongoing projects. Participants also reviewed the national policies and directions of NCD, CDC, EmONC and Health Promotion.

The Provincial Health Departments (PHDs) from Battambang, Pursat, Pailin and Banteay Meanchey shared their achievements for 2024 and provided valuable insights from their respective provinces, which contributed to the planning discussions for the 2025 project’s activities. 

The workshop was attended by the following key participants: 

H.E. Khoy Dy, Director of Pursat PHD; H.E. Le Chansangvath, Director of Banteay Meanchey PHD; Dr. Sok Kong, Representative of PMD; Dr. Sann Boremey, Deputy Director of the NCHP; Dr. Thai Savuth, Representative of the CDC; Mr. Duong Chantha, Representative of Battambang PHD; Ms. Leang Ladat, Deputy Director of Pailin PHD; Mr. Song Yonggun, Country Representative of KOFIH; Other distinguished guests and the healthcare providers from the four provincial departments, for a total of approximately 180 persons. 

The KOFIH Cambodia Office representative expressed sincere gratitude toward the stakeholders for their efforts throughout the year and noted, “The IQ-NCD and SCDC projects are set to end in 2025, and to secure the next phase, tangible results from the previous phase must be produced.”

“The new EmONC project is in its formation study stage and is set to finish by February next year, aiming to strengthen the MCH system in the provinces,” he added. 

After the workshop, the participants will finalise a detailed plan for 2025. This planning workshop reaffirms KOFIH’s commitment to improving healthcare access and quality in Cambodia, with a focus on reducing health disparities and strengthening the healthcare system. With the new plans, KOFIH will continue its role as a leading development partner in Cambodia’s healthcare sector, working in alignment with the Cambodian government.