Breakthrough in Cambodia!
A recent article in the Khmer Times – a Cambodian English-language newspaper – showcased the role of Cambodian Health Minister His Excellency Professor Chheang Ra in the national battle to eradicate the asbestos hazard.1
 HE Minister Chheang Ra opening the medical training workshop in Phnom Penh. Picture courtesy of Health Ministry, Cambodia. |
Welcoming participants to a three-day educational event on the diagnosis and treatment of diseases caused by exposures to asbestos and silica on August 27, 2025, the Health Minister acknowledged that asbestos had been used in Cambodia for years with little or no understanding of the health risks posed by exposures to this class 1 carcinogen.
The Cambodian Government was, he said, committed to improving public health and reducing treatment burdens and for these reasons it was crucial to stop dangerous working practices, including the import of asbestos and use of products containing it.
Measures to raise public and professional awareness of everyday carcinogens, build medical capacity for diagnosing diseases linked to them, adopt safer technologies – such as the use of asbestos-free material – and encourage closer inter-ministerial collaboration to establish frameworks restricting toxic imports and consumption were vital, he said.
Concluding his remarks, Minister Chheang Ra thanked the Australian government for its continuing support and the Australian experts who shared their valuable expertise with Cambodian doctors and specialists during the current training initiative entitled: Improving Diagnosis and Response to Occupational Cancers: Asbestos and Dust Related Diseases.
Amongst the Australian supporters of this event were: Union Aid Abroad – APHEDA, the Asbestos and Silica Safety and Eradication Agency (ASSEA), the Asbestos and Dust Diseases Research Institute (ADDRI) and the Australian Embassy in Cambodia. Speakers featured during the three days of presentations and discussions included representatives from the Cambodian Government, the World Health Organization, ASSEA, and ADDRI, as well as clinical experts and specialists on epidemiology, radiology, pathology, oncology and lung cancer nursing. This initiative was made possible through a collaborative process by the Cambodian Ministry of Health, the World Health Organization, the International Labor Organization, the Asian Development Bank and other entities and individuals named above.2
 Delegates attending the opening session of the training. Picture courtesy of Health Ministry, Cambodia. |
 Delegates attending the conference. Picture courtesy of Health Ministry, Cambodia. |
During the Phnom Penh conference, Liz Darlison from Mesothelioma UK and ADDRI’s Kim Brislane launched The International Mesothelioma Nurse Development Grant Program. This pioneering initiative will sponsor nurses “from low and middle income countries to travel to the UK to work with, and learn from the specialist Mesothelioma UK nurses.”3
 Kim Brislane (left) from ADDRI and Liz Darlison from Mesothelioma UK launching the international nursing development scheme on August 27, 2025. Picture courtesy of Mesothelioma UK. |
Announcing this exciting new grant Liz Darlison said:
“Mesothelioma UK is honored and delighted to be partnering with the IBAS [International Ban Asbestos Secretariat] and ADDRI to offer this opportunity. The charity has worked with many international nurses to build specialist health care capacity in several countries via online programs and face to face, and the impact of this has been very impressive. We are committed to sharing and networking, to developing long-term relationships which can be built on in the future for the benefit of participants and ultimately patients. As always, education is a two-way process and the Mesothelioma UK team are as eager to learn from these interactions and share.”4
On August 29, 2025, His Excellency Chhann Sorphal, Director General, General Construction Department, Ministry Land Management Urban Planning and Construction and Mr Veasna Nuon, APHEDA Country Manager signed a three-year Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to formalize plans to assist Cambodia to transition away from asbestos technology. Within the scope of the agreement areas to be addressed were included: collaboration on raising asbestos awareness, building medical capacity and transitioning to asbestos-free construction materials.5
 Signing the MOU is His Excellency Chhann Sorphal (left) and Mr Veasna Nuon (right). Picture courtesy of Ministry of Land Management, Urban Planning and Construction. |
Commenting on the importance of this development, Adam Kaminski, APHEDA’s Eliminating Asbestos Related Diseases Campaign Coordinator, said:
“This agreement lays a strong foundation and commitment to collaborate on asbestos awareness and capacity building, and opportunities for alternative products particularly aligned to construction materials. APHEDA is honored to sign this MOU with the Ministry of Land Management, Urban Planning and Construction and partner with the Royal Government of Cambodia on this commitment, which was a powerful example of international collaboration driving real change.”6
September 11, 2025
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1 David, S. Ra urges stronger action to stop asbestos and silica use. August 29, 2025.
https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501747524/ra-urges-stronger-action-to-stop-asbestos-and-silica-use/
2 ADDRI. Clinical training in Cambodia 2025. August 21 2025
https://addri.org.au/clinical-training-in-cambodia-2025/
ADDRI. Facebook Post. August 29, 2025.
https://www.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1083009170606992&id=100066937575349&rdid=sMwG1LRb9cmswPpz#
3 Joint Press Release. International Mesothelioma Nurse Development Grant. August 27, 2025.
https://ibasecretariat.org/press-release-international-mesothelioma-nurse-development-grant.pdf
4 ibid.
5 Australian Embassy, Cambodia. Facebook Post. August 29, 2025
https://www.facebook.com/100067146608738/posts/1110599661188244/?rdid=lHOXke6GAfFXAFMO#
6 Email from Adam Kaminski. Received August 30, 2025.
