In Cambodia’s health system, traditional and complementary medicine (T&CM) is still essential, particularly in rural areas where access to traditional medical care is still scarce. In Cambodia, people can obtain traditional medicine from private traditional medicine clinics, private health facilities, or the houses of traditional medicine practitioners. Additionally, T&CM services are not available in public health facilities in Cambodia. In addition to home service, T&CM services are exclusively offered in the private sector as consultation and treatment centers. Herbal medication, bone setting, spiritual healing, and massage are all part of T&CM in Cambodia, which has its roots in centuries-old Khmer medical traditions and is carried out by Kru Khmer traditional healers (1). Recognizing the public’s reliance on traditional healing, the Cambodian government initiated efforts to formalize and regulate T&CM through educational and legal frameworks.
The National Center of Traditional Medicine (NCTM), established in 1997 under the Ministry of Health, has become the central body responsible for training traditional practitioners and promoting research in traditional healing systems. In 2009, Cambodia inaugurated the National School of Traditional Medicine, which further institutionalized the teaching of traditional Khmer medicine and integrated basic biomedical subjects into its curricula (2). These include ~5-month certificate courses for experienced healers, covering anatomy, botany, materia medica, hygiene, traditional formulation, etc. Graduates are legally permitted to operate clinics and sell herbal products. This aligns with priority goals in strengthening PHC capacities through T&CM outlined in the ASEAN report (3).
Beyond short-course training, Cambodia has gradually moved toward integrating elements of T&CM into mainstream health education. While formal university degrees specifically in T&CM remain limited, several universities – including the University of Health Sciences (UHS) and the University of Puthisastra (UP) do incorporate aspects of traditional and complementary medicine (T&CM) in their curricula and research, especially within pharmacy and public health programs, even though they do not currently offer a dedicated course or degree in traditional and complementary medicine (4,5).
Organizations involved in this country’s accreditation of courses currently in our database:
- Ministry of Health (MoH) – https://moh.gov.kh/
The Ministry of Health oversees NCTM and accredits traditional medicine programs, issuing formal certificates to graduates. They also regulate herbal medicines and ensure product safety through its Department of Drugs and Food.
- Accreditation Committee of Cambodia (ACC)
Established by Royal Decree in 2003, and operating under the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport (MoEYS) and reporting to both MoEYS and MOH. They are responsible for accrediting higher education institutions – including those offering health-related and medicine disciplines; sets national standards and conducts both provisional (every 3 years) and full (every 5 years) accreditation.
- Health Profession Councils & MoH Departments
Specific councils – Medical, Pharmacy, Nursing, Midwifery Councils, etc – under MoH regulate professional registration, student internships, licensing, and continuing professional development. For T&CM, the Pharmacy Council of Cambodia (PCC) may oversee the quality and safe practice of herbal and plant-based medicines integrated into pharmacy education.
Reference
- World Health Organization. WHO global report on traditional and complementary medicine 2019 [Internet]. Geneva: WHO; 2019 [cited 2025 Jun 19]. Available from: https://apps.who.int/iris/handle/10665/312342
- Cambodian Ministry of Health. Strategic Plan for Traditional Medicine Development 2012–2020 [Internet]. Phnom Penh: MoH; 2012 [cited 2025 Jun 19].
- Law KMH, Te V, Hill PS. Cambodia’s health professionals and the ASEAN Mutual Recognition Arrangements: registration, education and mobility. Human Resources for Health [Internet]. 2019 Feb 26;17(1). Available from: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12960-019-0349-5
- University of Health Sciences Cambodia. Programs and Research [Internet]. [cited 2025 Jun 19]. Available from: https://www.uhs.edu.kh
- University of Puthisastra. Faculty of Pharmacy [Internet]. [cited 2025 Jun 19]. Available from: https://www.puthisastra.edu.kh/
