In April, Cambodia took a decisive step forward in tackling diabetes with the successful launch of the Cambodia Diabetes National Training Workshop in Phnom Penh. Organised under the leadership of the Cambodian Diabetes Association (CDA) and as part of the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) – Sanofi Global Health Unit (GHU) Diabetes Training Initiative, the workshop aimed to strengthen the capacity of healthcare professionals in diagnosing, managing and preventing diabetes.
Supported by the Ministry of Health of Cambodia and the Medical Council, Nursing Council, and Pharmacist Council of Cambodia, the workshop gathered over 340 doctors, nurses and pharmacists in person, with an additional 200 participants joining online. This strong national engagement reflects a shared commitment to elevating the quality of diabetes care throughout the country.
Leadership and support from national and global health stakeholders
The Ministry of Health was key in selecting healthcare professionals from across the provinces to attend the workshop. The opening ceremony featured remarks by Prof Touch Khun, First Vice-President of CDA and Chief of the Cambodia-Korean Diabetes Center, who underscored the importance of capacity building in diabetes management.
H.E. Dr. Hok Kim Cheng, Director General of Health at the Ministry of Health, welcomed participants and emphasised the workshop’s role in supporting Cambodia’s healthcare system to better respond to the increasing diabetes burden. Global insights and continued support were offered by Prof Peter Schwarz, President of the International Diabetes Federation, alongside Sanofi GHU representatives Sylvia Brachet and Dr Amy Niambo Ndao-Fall, reaffirming international commitment to supporting local healthcare infrastructure.
H.E. Dr Hok Kim Cheng said, “This workshop is an important opportunity to strengthen our national response to the growing burden of diabetes. By equipping our healthcare professionals with the right knowledge and skills, we are laying the groundwork for a more resilient and responsive health system.”
Prof Peter Schwarz said, “We are proud to support Cambodia in its efforts to improve diabetes care. Sharing global expertise and building local capacity are essential steps toward better prevention, early diagnosis, and long-term management of this complex condition.”
The successful implementation of the Cambodia Diabetes National Training Workshop marks a significant milestone in strengthening diabetes care systems across the country. By investing in the skills and knowledge of healthcare professionals, Cambodia is better positioned to confront the diabetes burden and deliver improved health outcomes for its population.
A regional and global health priority
The training workshop aligns with the broader goals of the IDF–Sanofi GHU Diabetes Training Initiative, which aims to train at least 4,000 healthcare professionals in 40 countries through online and in-person training sessions.
The latest IDF Diabetes Atlas estimates that in the Western Pacific Region, which includes Cambodia, 215 million adults are currently living with diabetes—37% of the global total. Alarmingly, 50% of these cases are undiagnosed, and the region reported 1.2 million diabetes-related deaths in 2024, the highest of any IDF region. Health expenditures in the region accounted for 24% of global spending on diabetes.
In Cambodia, an estimated 723,200 adults, or 6.8% of the adult population, are living with diabetes—half of them undiagnosed. The growing prevalence underscores the urgent need for capacity-building efforts like this training workshop.
