Project News: Reviewing Noncommunicable Disease (NCD)* Progress and Data – 1st Quarter 2025

On April 30, 2025, the NCD Progress and Data Review Workshop for the first quarter of 2025 was held at the Kampong Cham Provincial Health Department (PHD). Participants included representatives from the PHD, Operational Districts, target hospitals, the Ministry of Health (MoH), and the JICA Project Team.

While a variety of topics were discussed, a key focus was the presentation of the first-quarter NCD data by the PHD’s NCD focal person. The analysis revealed data quality issues such as missing entries and recording errors. In addition, challenges were shared related to the transition to the Electronic Medical Record (EMR) system, including disruption caused by staff turnover among Village Health Support Groups that impacted screening rates, and limitations in screening for diabetic eye complications due to a shortage of ophthalmology professionals.

In the afternoon, an MoH IT specialist conducted a demonstration of the EMR system, sharing their screen to explain the basic functions. Although online training had been conducted prior to the EMR launch, many participants remained unsure of how to operate the system, resulting in an active Q&A session.

The PHD NCD Chief also strongly urged hospitals to take responsibility for procuring HbA1c reagents and EMR-related equipment such as laptops.

The workshop brought key operational challenges to light and reaffirmed the importance of data utilisation and system readiness for effective NCD programme implementation.

The JICA NCD Control Project continues to support Kampong Cham in improving the quality of NCD data and promoting evidence-based decision-making to strengthen health service delivery.

* The JICA NCD Control Project focuses on three key noncommunicable diseases: diabetes, hypertension, and cervical cancer.