UNOPS Hosted a 2-day Workshop on Procurement and Supply Chain Best Practices for Cambodia’s Ministry of Health

The workshop aimed to enhance the Ministry of Health’s ability in effective communication and engagement with suppliers,  particularly in the procurement of essential goods and equipment that require ongoing maintenance and warranty support after delivery. UNOPS project managers and procurement experts shared experiences in the region. The workshop was attended by 85 participants representing national technical departments, centers, hospitals, and provincial health departments.

Cambodia’s Ministry of Health has been proactively engaging with local and international suppliers, especially in procuring advanced medical equipment that requires comprehensive long-term support to enhance the country’s healthcare system. At the provincial level, the health departments are committed to strengthening their procurement and finance capacities to meet the Standard Operating Procedures and Guidelines set by the Ministry of Economy and Finance with the Decentralization of Public Financial Reform.

Recognizing UNOPS expertise in procurement, infrastructure, and project management within the health sector, Minister of Health H.E. Professor Chheang Ra requested UNOPS to provide a knowledge-sharing workshop during a meeting with the Country Manager Ms. Eda Kraja. The goal was to enhance the national and local health departments’ understanding of procurement supply chains, including infrastructure requirements, testing, operation, and maintenance, and to increase the competitiveness of bids by attracting more qualified suppliers to participate in the Ministry of Health’s procurement opportunities.

In her remarks, Secretary of State and Director of the Minister’s Cabinet, Ministry of Health, H.E. Ph. VAR Puthneath said “The Ministry of Health has been collaborating with national and international institutions and the UN agencies for its efforts and commitment to achieve the Universal Health Coverage in Cambodia by strengthening the quality of basic healthcare services to all people and all places. The collaboration with all stakeholders is vital to ensure that no one and no place is left behind. Therefore, MoH will continue to collaborate with all stakeholders, especially with UNOPS on procurement and other technical services.” 

“Sustainable procurement is at the center of the UNOPS mandate. UNOPS Health Strategy identifies health procurement as a critical service to enable health systems' effective and continuous functioning. UNOPS not only procures and delivers health commodities, it also provides technical assistance and advisory support to strengthen public procurement systems for health,” said Ms. Eda Kraja, UNOPS Country Manager for Cambodia. “UNOPS remains committed to supporting the Ministry of Health in procurement and infrastructure collaborations and to providing capacity building for health professionals in Cambodia.”

During the workshop, UNOPS procurement experts shared their best practices, examples and exercises in procurement and supply chain management. In 2023, the organization procured $1.6 billion of goods and services from more than 5,700 suppliers, on behalf of 184 partners globally. In Cambodia, UNOPS procurement has played a pivotal role in the country’s efforts to eliminate malaria and address HIV/AIDS and TB since 2014.

The knowledge-sharing workshop provided UNOPS good practices of procurement to complement the  Ministry of Health’s conscious efforts to streamline its procurement practices, leading to improved efficiency, reduced costs, and increased supplier participation. It also served as a proactive step in strengthening the long-standing partnership between UNOPS and the Ministry of Health by fostering meaningful collaborations and synergies to contribute to the future of Cambodia’s healthcare system.