PHNOM PENH: On Tuesday, 28 March 2023, Phnom Penh Governor Khuong Sreng urged all district authorities in the city to take measures against illegal beauty clinics and to enforce strict measures against vehicles transporting victims of road accidents in order to protect the value of doctors and the lives of patients.

Speaking at the Phnom Penh Capital Hall in a meeting to review the Health Department’s 2022 performance, Governor Khuong Sreng instructed the Department of Health to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with all 14 district authorities to carry out work in the health sector for the betterment of the people.

He urged the Health Department to continue to cooperate with the district authorities to inspect all private hospitals and clinics in Phnom Penh to determine whether or not they were functioning in accordance with the law.

"We cannot let patients die before we inspect and close the business" he said.

In early March 2023, a woman died while undergoing cosmetic surgery at a beauty center in Khan Daun Penh. After the incident, the Ministry of Health closed the center and found that the owners employed uncertified health workers.