Jeonbuk National University (JBNU), together with the Korea Health Management Association (hereinafter KHMA), dispatched a health and medical Project Group to Cambodia to implement a non-communicable disease (NCD) management project.

This project began when JBNU and the KHMA were selected in 2022 for a three-year public–private partnership under the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA; President Son Hyuk-sang), Korea's official overseas grant aid agency. Through this selection, the two organizations dispatched a health and medical Project Group to Phnom Penh from August 6–13 to carry out the 'NCD (Non-Communicable Disease) Management Project Using mHealth in Prek Pnov, Cambodia.'

Cambodia is one of the poorest countries, a partner of 27 ODA countries and the New Southern Policy. As of 2018, Cambodia's Human Development Index (HDI) ranked 146th worldwide, indicating very low levels; the country has poor conditions for providing adequate health services, including insufficient medical facilities, human resources, and infrastructure. Approximately 64% of deaths in Cambodia are attributed to NCDs. The resulting medical expenses, which can account for one-third of household income, negatively affect economic growth and poverty reduction.

Accordingly, JBNU and the KHMA implemented a project in Prek Pnov, where urban poor communities in Phnom Penh reside, to prevent and manage chronic diseases such as hypertension and diabetes. Using mHealth based on ICT technologies, the project aimed to perform NCD prevention and management more efficiently in a context where COVID-19 limited healthy lifestyle practices. It activated small-scale, area-based self-management groups and operated a resident-centered, community-based program.

The dispatched health and medical Project Group provided health screenings and conducted a survey on health behavior improvements for 1,000 local residents in Prek Pnov. The team also monitored diagnostic equipment supplied through the project. In addition, they held meetings with local implementing organizations and carried out various performance-management activities, including exploring ways to refine project operations for the second half of the year.

In particular, the screenings emphasized joint testing with local laboratory personnel and technology transfer to establish a systematic and sustainable screening environment. Screenings were carried out both as on-site visits to Prek Pnov Referral Hospital and as outreach screenings for residents in Kouk Roka. Local media coverage and strong community response followed.

Dr. Kao Sophat, director of Prek Pnov Referral Hospital, said, 'Through this project, we expect to improve the hospital's health screening system and the accuracy of test results. Based on the analysis, we will actively work to improve residents' health behaviors and reduce the prevalence of NCDs.'

Professor Yang Young-ran of JBNU (Department of Nursing), the domestic principal investigator for the project, said, 'Through community health screenings, we expect early detection of non-communicable diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia. By forming community-based self-help groups focused on high-risk individuals, we aim to enhance the practice of healthy lifestyle habits and self-management capabilities for disease prevention and health promotion.'