September 09, 2026
Kuala Lumpur: On 9 September 2026, H.E. Prof. Chheang Ra, Minister of Health of the Kingdom of Cambodia, participated in the AHMM Retreat, which focused on in‑depth discussions under the theme “Breaking Silos, Building Synergies: A Strategic Retreat on Navigating ASEAN’s Dual Burden of Communicable and Non‑Communicable Diseases”. The session was chaired by H.E. Datuk Seri Dr. Haji Dzulkefly Ahmad, Minister of Health of Malaysia and Chair of the 17th AHMM, with participation from ASEAN Health Ministers and the Deputy Secretary‑General of ASEAN.
In his intervention, H.E. Prof. Chheang Ra highlighted the persistent structural challenges within current health systems, which remain in silos, and emphasized the need to transform health systems through systems thinking. To address these challenges and respond effectively to the rapid rise of non‑communicable and chronic diseases, H.E. Prof. Chheang Ra outlined six key strategic priorities:
Implement holistic models of care that emphasizes prevention
Accelerate the adoption of digital health systems
Strengthen leadership in aligning shared regional priorities
Develop multi‑disciplinary health workforce training
Enhance primary health care services and reduce fragmentation in financing
Reinforce data‑driven governance and regulatory frameworks
H.E. Prof. Chheang Ra further emphasized that breaking siloed structures is essential for building one connected health system that places patient‑centered care at its core and strengthens public trust.
The Retreat concluded with key strategic insights to advance regional health and well-being within ASEAN.
