Result achieved
A new or revised policy or strategy to extend coverage, enhance comprehensiveness and/or increase adequacy of benefits has been adopted (Step 1)
Number of countries that have adopted new or revised policies and strategies to extend coverage, enhance comprehensiveness and/or increase adequacy of benefits (Step 1)
Outcome summary
Cambodia implemented the Voluntary Health Insurance Scheme on Healthcare (VHI) for self-employed individuals and dependents of NSSF members (Sub-Decree No. 280, 28 August 2023).
Outcome achieved
Cambodia implemented the Voluntary Health Insurance Scheme on Healthcare (VHI) for self-employed individuals and dependents of NSSF members (Sub-Decree No. 280, 28 August 2023). The number of individuals covered by the VHI increased rapidly from 99,000 in January 2024 to 680,000 by April 2025.
The Government adopted the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Roadmap for 2024–35 in April 2024. This roadmap sets out three specific goals: (1) expand the coverage under the social health protection system to 80 per cent of the total population, (2) expand essential service coverage to at least 80 per cent, and (3) reduce out-of-pocket health expenditure to 35 per cent of the total health expenditure.
The Royal Government of Cambodia adopted the National Social Protection Policy Framework 2024–35, launched by the Prime Minister during the Social Protection Week on 20 February 2025.
ILO's contribution to the outcome
With the financial support of the RBSA-funded intervention, the ILO provided technical assistance in implementing the VHI scheme through a variety of capacity building and awareness raising campaign for encouraging the participation.
The VHI scheme is a major contributor to the UHC roadmap. To further improve the scheme, the ILO is conducting an evaluation of policy, process, and actuarial review of the VHI scheme which will be finalized and presented early 2026.
The ILO supported the organization of the Social Protection Week by providing resource persons and budgetary support.
Gender equality & non-discrimination
The aforementioned achievements including ILO contributions are fully gender sensitive. Policy documents such as the NSPPF 2024-35 and UHC Roadmap 2024-2035, as well as the GA roadmap were conducted in an inclusive manner and include several reform suggestions particularly relevant for the expansion of social protection to women and children.
Partnerships
European Union, Oxfam, UNICEF
Impacts
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Number of persons legally covered
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