Background
The Eye Health Governance Project 2026–2031 is designed to strengthen governance, leadership, coordination, human resource development, service quality, data systems, and management of Cambodia’s eye health system.
WHO’s SPECS 2030 framework emphasizes five core components—services, personnel, education, cost, and surveillance—to support scaling of corrective and preventative eye-care interventions. The Ministry of Health links the national eye health strategy to broader Universal Health Coverage objectives and human capital development, stressing equitable access to affordable, quality eye-care for urban, rural and remote populations.
Key Developments
On 7 September 2026 in Phnom Penh, the Ministry of Health officially launched the Eye Health Governance Project 2026–2031 and introduced WHO’s SPECS 2030 as a strategic framework for Cambodia. The launch was presided over by Professor Cheang Ra, Minister of Health, with Australian Ambassador Derek Yip in attendance. Representatives from the World Health Organization, the Fred Hollows Foundation, provincial and municipal health departments, hospitals, training institutions, civil society organisations and private-sector partners were present at the ceremony.
Policy Context
The national project articulates explicit governance and system-strengthening priorities including leadership, coordination, workforce development, service quality assurance, health information systems, and financial sustainability for eye health services. The Ministry frames these priorities as components necessary to expand coverage of vision correction and eye-care services while maintaining affordability and continuity of services for vulnerable groups.
Institutional Role
The Ministry of Health has positioned the project as a multi-stakeholder initiative, calling for continued cooperation among government bodies, international partners, development agencies and civil society to ensure no one is left behind in accessing eye-care. During the launch the Ministry publicly acknowledged support from the Australian government, the Embassy of Australia, the Fred Hollows Foundation and WHO, and urged partners to sustain technical and operational collaboration to build a resilient national eye health system.
