Expat Healthcare in Cambodia www.expatriatehealthcare.com /expat-healthcare-in-cambodia/

Healthcare in Cambodia is rarely up to international standards.

While some highly-regarded hospitals and clinics may be found in and around the capital, Phnom Penh, inmore rural areas medical facilities are few and far between.

In addition to these difficulties, serious medical complications are often not dealt with in Cambodia itself,but will instead require treatment abroad.

As such it is essential to fully understand the Cambodian healthcare system if you plan to travel there orrelocate as an expat. Doing so will ensure you receive the best possible care at the most reasonableprices.

Contents

1 Expat Healthcare in Cambodia

1.1 Cambodia Healthcare System at a Glance

1.2 Prescriptions in Cambodia

1.2.1 List of Pharmacies in Cambodia

1.3 Vaccinations for Travel to Cambodia

1.4 Private Health Insurance for Cambodia

1.5 Ambulance Number in Cambodia

1.6 List of Hospitals in Cambodia

Cambodia Healthcare System at a Glance

There is considerable variation in the standards of medical care available in rural versus urban areas. TheCambodian Ministry of Health (MOH) invests primarily in medical facilities where population densities aregreatest. This means that most major clinics and hospitals are to be found in cities, with a particularemphasis on Phnom Penh.

Sadly, while over 80% of the Cambodian population currently lives in rural areas, the low populationdensities of such areas mean that public healthcare facilities are few and far between. The few suchinstitutions which may be encountered are typically stretched beyond capacity and so standards of caremay not live up to your expectations. As a result, only an estimated 30% of Cambodians actually visit thefree public facilities.

The solution to this is both simple, yet incredibly complex. On the one hand many native Cambodians endup having to rely on private healthcare facilities, often at (comparatively) great cost to themselves. Many ofthese institutions or individual medical practitioners operate without official approval and so standards ofcare may not be optimal.

As a third of Cambodia’s estimated population of 14.3 million people live below the poverty line it shouldcome as no surprise that they struggle to pay for this private medical treatment. It has been estimated thatover 75% of medical costs in Cambodia are paid out-of-pocket, with many poor families having to rely onloans or selling belongings to cover even basic care.

Prescriptions in Cambodia

Oddly enough, Cambodia does not recognize theconcept of prescriptions. Instead, all typicallyprescription-only medications are available over-the-counter. As such, pharmacies in Cambodia are bigbusiness, and may be found all over the country.

It is important to note that Cambodia is still known forfraud in some areas, and this may be experienced insome of the many independent chemists. Many of thedrugs on offer here have been found to be fakes of theoriginal drug.

While some visitors relish in not lining the pockets ofglobal healthcare providers, it is important to understand that these unregulated alternatives may not havebeen through the same levels of stringent testing. Visitors are advised to avoid any medications they feelmay not be genuine.

Possibly the best way of doing so is to avoid the smaller independent drug stores and instead to buymedication from one of the two large chains present in Cambodia.

They are:

Pharmacie de la Gare

U-Care

List of Pharmacies in Cambodia

Here are some of the more popular options in Cambodia:

Chemist Name Tel No Address

Pharmacies de laGare

(+855) (0)23 430205

81 Monivong Boulevard, Phnom Penh

U-Care Pharmacy (+855) (0)23 224299

39 Sihanouk Boulevard, Phnom Penh

U-Care Pharmacy (+855) (0)63 965396

Hospital Street, at Pub Street, Siem Reap

U-Care Pharmacy (+855) (0)23 222499

26-28 Sothearos Blvd, Phnom Penh

U-Care Pharmacy (+855) (0)23 224099

39 Sihanouk Blvd, Phnom Penh

U-Care Pharmacy (+855) (0)23 224299

41-43 Norodom Blvd, Phnom Penh

U-Care Pharmacy (+855) (0)63 763399

No. 010, Sivutha Road, Siem Reap

U-Care Pharmacy (+855) (0)63 766049

Siem Reap International Airport, Siem Reap

U-Care Pharmacy (+855) (0)23 224399

No. 194, St. 63 (Trosak Paem), Phnom Penh

U-Care Pharmacy (+855) (0)23 884004

844 Kampuchea Krom Blvd, Phnom Penh

U-Care Pharmacy (+855) (0)23 223499

207-209 Sisowath Quay, Phnom Penh

U-Care Pharmacy (+855) (0)63 965396

Psar Chas Old Market Area, Siem Reap

U-Care Pharmacy (+855) (0)63 966683

Lucky Mall Lucky Mall Complex, Sivatha Blvd, SiemReap

Chemist Name Tel No Address

Vaccinations for Travel to Cambodia

Cambodia is rife with potential health risks, so a series of vaccinations may be recommended before youvisit the country. Consult your local doctor’s surgery for the most-timely guidance on which injections willbe required.

As a guide, the following vaccinations are recommended for visits to Cambodia:

Measles-Mumps-Rubella – MMR

Diptheria

Tetanus

Chickenpox

Polio

Hepatitis A

Typhoid

Some visitors, depending on your destination and lifestyle choices may also want to consider the followinginjections:

Hep B

Japanese encephalitis

Malaria

Rabies

Note that bird flu has been recorded in Cambodia, though cases are few and far between. Visitors shouldseek to avoid physical contact with birds – such as by avoiding livestock markets where chickens are

prevalent.

Private Health Insurance for Cambodia

As readers should now be aware, healthcare in Cambodia can leave a lot to be desired.

For your own safety there are two steps which shouldbe considered.

Firstly, as the few hospitals offerimg internationalstandards of care are to be found in and aroundPhnom Penh, expats and tourists residing in this areaare likely to find medical coverage to be far better thanin more rural areas.

Secondly, it is critical to understand that many moreserious injuries may be better handled overseas. It isnot unusual for even wealthy Cambodians to leave thecountry in order to receive essential care in Bangkokor Singapore.

Here the medical facilities are considerably better, with newer facilities and many English-speakingdoctors. The problem is getting to one of these destinations, especially in the case of an emergency.Quotes vary but a single trip by helicopter is likely to set you back a minimum of $10,000. Some expatshave received bills several times that in the past.

A combination of the prevalence of private medical facilities, and the potential need for emergency medicalcare abroad all mean that expat health insurance or overseas medical insurance should be consideredessential for visitors.

Ambulance Number in Cambodia

In order to reach the emergency services in Cambodia simply dial 119 from any landline. Note, however,that the ambulance service in Cambodia is far from efficient, with some expats complaining that phonecalls are simply left to ring. Under such circumstances it may be necessary find an alternative mode totransport to take you to hospital.

List of Hospitals in Cambodia

As stated earlier, the best hospitals in Cambodia are found in Phnom Penh as a rule. Below you will find alist of the some of the better-quality hospitals that expats might want to keep handy during their visit…

Hospital Name Tel No Address

Angkor Hospital forChildren

(+855) (0)63963 409

Street Achar Mean, Mondul 1 Village, Svay DangkumCommune, Siem Reap

Calmette Hospital (+855) (0)23426 948

P.O. BOX: 807, #3, Monivong Boulevard, Phnom Penh

CME Medical Center (+855) (0)23999 008

#109-135 Street 144, Phnom Penh

Community and FamilyMedical Clinic

(+855) (0)23217 349

#262B/268, Trasak Paem Street (St.63), Phnom Penh

Embassy MedicalCentre

(+855) (0)23426 091

No. 18, Street 228, Sangkat Chak Tomouk, Khan Daun Penh,Phnom Penh

International ClinicS.O.S.

(+855) (0)23216 911

#161, Street 51 (Pasteur), Phnom Penh

Khema Clinic (+855) (0)23880 949

#18 Street 528, Tuol Kok District, Phnom Penh

Naga Clinic (+855) (0)23211 300

#11, Street 254, Phnom Penh

Royal AngkorInternational Hospital

(+855) (0)63761 888

National Route 6 (Airport Road), Phum Rasekam, Khum SraNgea, Siem Reap, Cambodia

Royal Phnom PenhHospital

(+855) (0)23991 000

#888, Russian Confederation Blvd, Sensok, Phnom Penh,Cambodia

Sen Sok InternationalHospital

(+855) (0)23883 712

#91-96, St.1986, Sangkat Phnom Penh Thmey, Khan SenSok, Phnom Penh

Sun International Clinic (+855) (0)23956 777

#97B, Street 217, Sangkat Phsar Deomkor, Khan Toul Kork,Phnom Penh

Tropical & TravelersMedical Clinic

(+855) (0)23366 802

#88, Street 108, Phnom Penh

Hospital Name Tel No Address