Project News: Kampong Cham Provincial Technical Working Group for Health (Pro-TWGH) Meeting on February 27, 2025

On February 27, 2025, the Pro-TWGH convened at the Kampong Cham Provincial Health Department (PHD). The Pro-TWGH is held monthly, bringing together authorities from the PHD, Operational Districts Health Departments, hospitals, and external partners to discuss and report on workforce progress and ongoing projects in Kampong Cham.

During the meeting, the JICA NCD Control Project presented the 2024 baseline data collected at the diabetes clinic at the Kampong Cham Provincial Hospital, focusing on the proposed indicators and key findings. The indicators tracked by the project include:

The presentation highlighted key issues, such as inconsistent HbA1c testing rates, fluctuating glycemic control, and a low rate of foot assessments. Additionally, it was noted that insulin utilization remains significantly low.

One of the major discussion points among Pro-TWGH members was the affordability of HbA1c testing. Since the national insurance system does not cover this test, many patients struggle to afford it. Another concern was the low utilization of insulin. In response, the PHD Director, who chaired the meeting, requested the Diabetes clinic at the provincial hospitals it a report detailing the number of patients requiring insulin and an estimated budget for procurement.

Although these issues present significant challenges, the project successfully brought data-driven insights to the discussion, facilitating informed decision-making among stakeholders.