Background
The Ministry of Health operates the Primary Health Care Behavior Improvement Framework (PHC-BIF) as a national mechanism to guide local health authorities in strengthening facility-level primary care and community engagement. The PHC-BIF framework sets out six core activities for improving primary health care delivery at commune and facility levels.
Provincial PHC-BIF teams, chaired by the Ministry and including provincial health departments and district offices, are responsible for on-site assessment, technical guidance, and follow-up planning for facility upgrades and service continuity. The PHC-BIF implementation approach emphasizes local governance mechanisms such as health centre management committees, village health support groups (VHSGs), and coordination with district operational districts to expand 24/7 primary care services and pursue digital innovations at health centres.
Key Developments
From 28 September to 2 October 2026, State Secretary Dr. Or Vandine led a PHC-BIF mission to Tbong Khmum province to conduct on-site inspections and stakeholder meetings. The mission visited targeted health facilities and commune and district offices, including Tonle Bet Health Centre, Choirout 2 Health Centre, Chob Health Centre, Suong 1 Health Centre, and participated in meetings at commune and district schools and the provincial hall.
Institutional Role
The provincial PHC-BIF working group in Tbong Khmum included the provincial deputy governor (responsible for health), the provincial health director, deputy directors, district governors and their deputies, commune chiefs, village chiefs, law enforcement, health centre management committee members, VHSGs, and partner organisations. Operational District (OD) offices and health centre teams participated in technical discussions and provided feedback on improvement plans for 2027.
Operational Implications
Participants reviewed facility improvements, service continuity arrangements, and community mobilisation strategies, and received recommendations aligned with the six PHC-BIF core activities. The mission transmitted planning formats for 2027 and provided targeted recommendations on community participation, behaviour change promotion, capacity building, digital innovation at health centres, expansion of basic service packages, 24/7 routine service strengthening, and infrastructure and sanitation improvements.
