Cambodia Trains Health Workers on Integrated HIV, Harm Reduction and Mental Health Services

Phnom Penh, October 27, 2026: Cambodia's health sector has launched a 10-day training course on "Integrated HIV, Harm Reduction and Mental Health Services," aimed at strengthening the ability of health workers to identify and respond to mental health problems among patients receiving HIV services.

The course, running from Oct. 19 to Nov. 2, 2026, at the National Centre for HIV/AIDS, Dermatology and STDs (NCHADS), was opened by H.E. Dr. Hok Kimcheng, Director General of Health Technical Affairs.

In remarks at the opening, Dr. Hok Kimcheng stressed the importance of linking mental health care and substance-use issues into HIV/AIDS services, emphasising the need to strengthen the knowledge and practical skills of health workers in identifying and assessing mental health problems among patients seeking HIV/AIDS services, providing appropriate care and referring serious cases to specialised services in a timely manner. Building this capacity is intended to contribute to safe, high-quality, patient-centred integrated care.

The training is a collaboration between the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse and NCHADS, with 83 participants including doctors and service providers at ART clinics 1, 2 and 3 and the Chhouk Sar clinic, as well as representatives of partner organisations EpiC/FHI 360 and CRS.

Source: Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Ministry of Health

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Reported by The Khmer Today