Background
The Ministry of Health is coordinating a structured adoption of international patient-safety practices into national hospital assessment mechanisms through partnerships with Joint Commission International (JCI). Joint Commission International (JCI) evaluated three model hospitals as part of Cambodia’s implementation of the JCI–Patient Safety Pathways.
These activities have been used to align internationally recognized patient-safety criteria with the Cambodian Hospital Accreditation System (CHAS) as a governance mechanism for hospital quality assurance. Cambodia has integrated JCI patient-safety criteria into the Cambodian Hospital Accreditation System (CHAS).
Key Developments
On 20 May 2026, His Excellency Professor Chheang Ra, Minister of Health, met bilaterally with Dr. Neelam Dhingra, Vice President and Global Chief Patient Safety Officer at JCI, in Geneva to advance ongoing collaboration on patient-safety accreditation. The meeting focused on steps to prepare national hospitals for global-level patient-safety recognition and to expand implementation from initial model hospitals to wider hospital networks and community health settings.
Institutional Role
The Ministry of Health is leading policy coordination and national rollout planning for patient-safety pathways, while JCI provides assessment expertise and technical advice. Minister Chheang Ra emphasized the sector vision with the statement “No Quality without Safety,” framing patient safety as the foundational pillar for delivering high-quality, equitable care.
Operational Implications
Implementation to date has proceeded through selected provincial pilots and three model hospitals that informed alignment work with CHAS; further steps will extend program participation to allied hospitals and community services. JCI has affirmed continuing support and technical guidance to Cambodia as the country expands its patient-safety practices.
