Enhancing Healthcare Services Quality in a Resource-Limited Country: Perspectives From Cambodia

Achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) is a global priority focused on ensuring access to high-quality healthcare services. Cambodia is committed to improving healthcare quality and expanding social health protection through several strategic initiatives. However, enhancing the quality of healthcare in resource-limited settings remains a significant challenge due to factors such as constrained financial resources, workforce shortages, and inadequate infrastructure. This perspective aims to examine the key challenges and critical areas for improvement in Cambodia's healthcare system. It also explores the enablers and barriers to initiating, implementing, and sustaining healthcare quality improvements in the country.

Cambodia's healthcare system has made progress over the past three decades. However, significant challenges persist, particularly in the quality of healthcare services and public trust in the system. Improving healthcare quality will require strategic investments in infrastructure, governance, and workforce development. Additionally, innovative approaches-such as public-private partnerships and digital health technologies-are essential in resource-constrained settings. Policy reforms, enhanced community-based health initiatives, and capacity-building efforts are also necessary to accelerate progress toward UHC in Cambodia.

This perspective underscores the need for a comprehensive, multisectoral approach to improve healthcare quality in Cambodia. Addressing issues related to governance, financing, infrastructure, and human resources is essential. Strategic measures such as public-private partnerships, capacity-building initiatives, health equity funds, and the integration of digital health technologies hold promise for advancing UHC in the Cambodian context.