Date: 8 August 2025
Location: Phnom Penh
The third Rehabilitation Workstream meeting, co-chaired by the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Social Affairs, Veterans and Youth Rehabilitation, brought together national and sub national stakeholders to review progress, share lessons and confirm priorities for the semester ahead.
Who was in the room
Representatives from MoH, MoSVY, the Persons with Disabilities Foundation, MoWA, the NCDD Secretariat, Provincial Health Departments, Provincial Departments of Social Affairs, Veterans and Youth Rehabilitation, Strategic Implementing Partners, WHO, Exceed Worldwide, Humanity and Inclusion, ICRC, OIC Cambodia and CARE Cambodia, plus the Cambodian Disabled People’s Organization, the Cambodian Physical Therapy Association, the Cambodian Association of Prosthetists and Orthotists, the Australian Embassy and the ACCESS 2 team.
What moved forward
- Terms of Reference: Members endorsed an update to hold Rehabilitation Workstream meetings every six months.
- Evidence into action:
- ICRC shared updated statistics on persons with disabilities accessing physical rehabilitation services.
- Humanity and Inclusion presented stronger governance of rehabilitation services at Kampong Cham Provincial Hospital, including establishment of a Physiotherapy Unit and better coordination between health care facilities and the Physical Rehabilitation Centre.
- OIC Cambodia reported workforce development of health care providers through training in speech therapy.
- Exceed Worldwide reported April 2024 to June 2025 results, with 785 clients accessing rehabilitation services within the health system.
- WHO updated on situation assessment and policy development across health equity for persons with disabilities, rehabilitation and assistive technology.
“The Australian Embassy in Cambodia is committed to disability equity and rights and to transforming lives, reducing inequality and building inclusive communities as guided by Australia’s International Disability Equity and Rights Strategy.”
Ms Sothearoth Hel, Portfolio Leader, Australian Embassy
Decisions and next steps
- Strengthen and expand referral mechanisms and service provision, reinforce Provincial Coordination Committees at sub national level to support sustainability.
- Deepen collaboration across members to contribute to priorities in the National Disability Strategic Plan 2024 to 2028 and the Roadmap toward Universal Health Coverage 2024 to 2035.
- Continue knowledge sharing on service models and workforce development.
“I am truly grateful for the support of Australia and ACCESS 2, especially through the Strategic Implementing Partners. This support aligns with the growing demand for rehabilitation services, especially among people with non-communicable diseases and an ageing population.”
Dr Kol Hero, Director, Department of Preventive Medicine, MoH
Why this matters
The workstream advances ACCESS 2 outcomes so that persons with disabilities can access quality, coordinated rehabilitation without financial hardship. Rehabilitation is recognised as an essential health service under the Royal Government’s UHC Roadmap.
