Championing the HIV Response: Honouring Dr Ouk Vichea’s Leadership

We honour Dr Ouk Vichea on World AIDS Day — 1 December 2025.

Dr Vichea is Director of the National Centre for HIV/AIDS Dermatology and STDs (NCHADS) and an Assistant Professor of Public Health at the University of Health Sciences. He was trained as a doctor in Cambodia and earned a Master of Public Health from the University of New South Wales in 2002 through an Australia Awards Scholarship.

Under his leadership, with the clear vision and strategic direction of the Minister of Health, Cambodia has made huge progress: by the end of 2024, 92% of people with HIV knew their status, all diagnosed were on treatment, and 98% of those on treatment achieved viral suppression. But challenges remain — about 1,200 new infections occurred in 2024, and young people and key populations are still most affected.

Dr Vichea calls for everyone to act: access to HIV testing (including self-testing) while at risk of infection, to prevent yourself and your family by consistently using condoms and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), access to treatment early if HIV positive, and adhere fully to treatment.

“Together we can work to remove the stigma attaching to people living wth HIV/AIDS, and those at greatest risk”

We congratulate Dr Vichea on his commitment to protecting the health and dignity of people living with, and at risk of, HIV.

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