[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”!! PLEASE DO NOT EDIT !!!” _builder_version=”4.19.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”1″ admin_label=”!!! PLEASE DO NOT EDIT !!!” _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.19.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”SUMMARY ” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”10px||20px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
P4H country focal person Niccol\u00f2 Rotigliano supported Cambodia\u2019s progress towards universal health coverage (UHC) between 2021 and 2024 through policy dialogue, topical analyses, tax reform studies, workshops and other efforts. He helped foster collaboration, inform the UHC road map, and strengthen social health protection systems.<\/strong><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”TEXT – BLOCK 1 -” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||1em||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Cambodia is addressing significant health system challenges, including high out-of-pocket spending, limited access to quality health care services for vulnerable populations, and the epidemiological transition toward noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). Multiple inputs and collaborative efforts, with the participation of the P4H Network and others, contributed to progress towards universal health coverage (UHC) in the period 2021-2024.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”TEXT – BLOCK 2 ” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||1em||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n P4H Network Country Focal Person (P4H-CFP) Niccol\u00f2 Rotigliano<\/a> was deployed to Cambodia<\/a> from September 2021 to November 2024. Contracted by the Deutsche Gesellschaft f\u00fcr Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) and funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), Niccol\u00f2 built on earlier collaborative work by the P4H Network and, during his tenure of a little more than three years, contributed to multiple new initiatives to strengthen Cambodia’s progress towards UHC.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”TEXT – BLOCK 3″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||1em||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Niccol\u00f2 collaborated closely with the General Secretariat of the National Social Protection Council (GS-NSPC), whose general mandate is to develop Cambodia\u2019s social protection system and ensure harmonization among the different strategies, policies and other social protection activities in place in Cambodia. During Niccol\u00f2\u2019s tenure period, the GS-NSPC was tasked with the critical responsibility of developing Cambodia’s UHC road map, was ultimately published as the Roadmap Towards Universal Health Coverage in Cambodia 2024\u20132034<\/a>.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][ba_gradient_heading title=”Providing Technical Support for Government Strategy and Implementation” html_tag=”h3″ primary_color=”#455A64″ secondary_color=”#455A64″ admin_label=”HEADING (50-60 characters)” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” title_font=”||||||||” title_font_size=”26px” title_line_height=”1em” custom_padding=”||10px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/ba_gradient_heading][et_pb_text admin_label=”TEXT – BLOCK 4 ” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||1em||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n In a collaborative spirit, Niccol\u00f2 worked closely with other agencies and colleagues. Together with the consultant engaged by the P4H Network Coordination Desk to review the institutional frameworks of ten countries and with GIZ colleagues, Niccol\u00f2 conducted an assessment of Cambodia\u2019s legal framework for social health protection. The analysis identified disparities in legal protections across different population groups, notably highlighting gaps affecting vulnerable populations and individuals living in poverty.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”TEXT – BLOCK 5″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||1em||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Supported by a consultancy team from the National University of Singapore, led by Esabelle Yam<\/a>, as of this writing the P4H-CFP in Australia, Niccol\u00f2 facilitated a political economy analysis on health tax reforms related to tobacco, alcohol, and sugar-sweetened beverages. The analysis combined desk reviews and qualitative interviews with various stakeholders, including government bodies, development partners, and civil society organisations.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”TEXT – BLOCK 6″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||1em||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n In collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) Cambodia, the WHO Western Pacific Region, and GIZ, Niccol\u00f2 organized a three-day capacity-building workshop in 2022 for the newly formed team responsible for drafting Cambodia\u2019s UHC road map. Additionally, and with continual support from WHO and GIZ, a UHC monitoring workshop was organised for different national stakeholders.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”TEXT – BLOCK 7″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||1em||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n The workshop aimed to strengthen national capacity for data collection, analysis and reporting specifically monitoring progress towards UHC.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”TEXT – BLOCK 8″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||1em||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Building on existing literature, Niccol\u00f2, some of his GIZ colleagues in Cambodia, and consultants carried out a gender analysis of Cambodia\u2019s social protection system. The analysis highlighted gender-specific patterns of poverty, vulnerability and inequality, assessing how Cambodia’s current social protection framework addresses the diverse needs of women and girls.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”TEXT – BLOCK 9″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||1em||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n National Social Assistance Fund (NSAF)<\/a>, GIZ<\/a>, and P4H jointly conducted a regional training workshops to enhance awareness of the Health Equity Fund (HEF) among 150 NSAF officials. These workshops significantly improved participants\u2019 understanding of HEF benefits, referral pathways, and broader social protection systems, enhancing interagency collaboration and reporting quality.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”TEXT – BLOCK 10″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||1em||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Using an abridged version of WHO\u2019s questionnaire on structures and processes of country pharmaceutical situations (2008), Niccol\u00f2 reviewed Cambodia\u2019s pharmaceutical sector, focusing on structures and processes of national pharmaceutical systems. Results, presented by Niccol\u00f2 to the general secretary of the GS-NSPC, led to further research in collaboration with the World Bank.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][ba_gradient_heading title=”Facilitating Multistakeholder Collaboration and Policy Alignment” html_tag=”h3″ primary_color=”#455A64″ secondary_color=”#455A64″ admin_label=”HEADING (50-60 characters)” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” title_font=”||||||||” title_font_size=”26px” title_line_height=”1em” custom_padding=”||10px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/ba_gradient_heading][et_pb_text admin_label=”TEXT – BLOCK 11″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||1em||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n The core mandates of a P4H-CFP include establishing, fostering, and maintaining coordination, collaboration, and learning in health financing for UHC, and providing a local information hub among stakeholders. In this regard, Niccol\u00f2 consistently organized meetings of the local P4H Network in Cambodia (P4HC+) to disseminate results and foster collaboration. This local platform was built on the vision of Bart Jacobs, who served as the first P4H-CFP in Cambodia for seven years and was Niccol\u00f2\u2019s predecessor, comprising development partners not formally part of the P4H Network. Bart\u2019s vision was to create an inclusive platform that brought together all key stakeholders working on health financing and social health protection in Cambodia, extending beyond formal P4H members, to encourage open dialogue, information sharing, and stronger coordination. As of November 2024, the local network P4HC+ had grown substantially to include 22 agencies, significantly enhancing local collaboration and policy alignment.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”TEXT – BLOCK 12″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||1em||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n The deputy prime minister and minister of economy and finance of Cambodia formally nominated Niccol\u00f2 alternate coordinator of the development partners’ social health protection working group, they had set up, alongside the WHO representative who was the working group\u2019s coordinator. This working group, established under a broader coordination mechanism between Cambodia\u2019s government and development partners, aimed to enhance coordination, implementation of initiatives, mutual accountability, and policy coherence in social protection. Niccol\u00f2 also served as a member of the high-level policy input working group, receiving official recognition by the deputy prime minister and minister of economy and finance, who had also set up this group.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”TEXT – BLOCK 13″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||1em||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n