Health Strategic Plan 2008-2015.

The Health Strategic Plan (HSP2) is a national planning instrument with a sectoral approach applicable to the period 2008-2015. The long term vision of the Ministry of Health is to enhance sustainable development of the health sector for better health and well-being of all Cambodian, especially of the poor, women and children, thereby contributing to poverty alleviation and socio-economic development. Among the guiding principles for implementing actions in the health sector, the document includes social health protection, especially for the poor and vulnerable groups. To attain its objectives, the strategic plan defines some policy directions, which include: to reinforce health legislation and strengthen regulatory mechanisms, including for food safety and hygiene, to protect providers and consumers’ rights and their health; to implement pro-poor health financing systems, including exemptions for the poor and expansion of health equity funds, in combination with other forms of social assistance mechanisms; to promote quality of life and healthy lifestyles of the population by raising health awareness and creating supportive environments. The HSP2 characterizes strategic priorities for the health sector into two broader interrelated areas: 1) population health problems and essential services; 2) challenges in relation to functional areas of the health system. Goals are set out for these priority areas.
The strategic plan aims at eliminating hunger, food insecurity and malnutrition. HSP2 Goal 1 is to reduce maternal, new born and child morbidity and mortality, and improve reproductive health. The expected outcomes include: improved women's nutritional status; improved child nutritional status.
The HSP2 contributes to the reduction of rural poverty. It promotes pro-poor approaches, focusing on targeting resources to the poor and groups with special needs and to areas in greatest need, especially rural and remote areas.
Reduced environmental risks and health impacts from disasters is among the expected outcomes under HSP2 Goal 3, relating to the reduction of the burden of non-communicable diseases and other health problems.
Good governance and accountability is among the guiding principles established by the strategic plan. This means to provide stewardship for both the public and private sectors, focusing on a sector wide approach, effective planning, monitoring of performance and coordination.