The Australian Government, through ACCESS 2, continues to support efforts to strengthen rehabilitation services within Cambodia’s health system.
On 22 January 2026, OIC Cambodia, together with the Kratie Provincial Administration and provincial health sector, officially inaugurated Speech Therapy services at the Provincial Referral Hospital in Kratie. The event marked the formal establishment of a Communication and Language Support Room, helping to expand access to communication and language support at provincial level.
The initiative aims to promote the availability of Speech Therapy services within the hospital, increase awareness and understanding of communication and language difficulties in children, and strengthen early identification and referral between health facilities, communities and relevant partners.
Speech Therapy can play an important role in rehabilitation, including supporting people recovering from stroke to improve communication and swallowing. Speech Therapy can also support children with communication needs, including children with autism, to strengthen communication skills and participation in daily life.
Dr Kheng Mab, Deputy Director of the Kratie Provincial Referral Hospital, emphasised the importance of strengthening Speech Therapy services at provincial level, particularly for children with speech, language and communication difficulties. He said, “I firmly believe that this service will respond to the needs of children and their families, both in Kratie Province and in neighbouring provinces, by ensuring timely access to quality communication and language services.”
Sasha Cigljarevic, Deputy Team Leader, ACCESS 2, added, “On behalf of the ACCESS 2 Program, I would like to extend my sincere thanks to the Provincial Health Department, the Kratie Provincial Referral Hospital, and the sub-national administration of Kratie for their strong and continued partnership.”
OIC Cambodia is one of ACCESS 2’s Strategic Implementing Partners, implementing the project “Integrating speech therapy knowledge and practice into Cambodia’s services and workforce to support people with communication and swallowing difficulties in Kratie and Kampong Speu provinces.”
Through partnerships with Strategic Implementing Partners, including OIC Cambodia and Exceed Worldwide, and in close collaboration with the Ministry of Health and relevant health facilities, ACCESS 2 remains committed to supporting rehabilitation services that are accessible, affordable, equitable and sustainably strengthened across Cambodia’s health system.
