Cambodia's Care Services for Individuals With Disabilities (Hearing Loss and Ear Disease): A Perspective on Challenges and the Urgent Need for Improvement.

Background and Aim: In Cambodia, little is known or paid attention to regarding the care services among disabled people, especially conditions of ear disease and hearing loss care, or the roles that key stakeholders or providers play in providing services. This perspective article aims to discuss and highlight the challenges and critical needs for improvement to address the issues more effectively. Methods: A search on Google Scholar was carried out to identify relevant journal articles. Additionally, relevant reports and data on the care of ear disease and hearing loss were sourced from the websites of international and humanitarian organizations, including the World Health Organization, the Ministry of Health of Cambodia, and other relevant sources. Results: Cambodia's disability care services have improved but still face challenges in implementation, funding, and resource allocation. The country should focus on four key priorities for ear and hearing care: integrating services into primary care, developing infrastructure, ensuring sustainable financing, and implementing effective services at all levels. Addressing stigma and public awareness, strengthening multisectoral collaboration, increasing financial investment, and promoting inclusive policies can help improve services and universal health coverage for people with disabilities. Conclusions: Care of individuals with disabilities (ear disease) presents a major public health challenge for Cambodia, which is made worse by delays, a lack of coordination, and a shortage of infrastructure and personnel. To solve this, it is necessary to incorporate ear and hearing care into primary healthcare services, upgrade infrastructure, provide professional training, and set up long-term funding sources.