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If you’re living in Cambodia, new to the country, or even just visiting short-term, knowing which Phnom Penh hospital to go to can save you a lot of stress when something goes wrong.

And let’s be honest, medical emergencies are already overwhelming enough without trying to Google “hospital in Phnom Penh” while feeling terrible.

I’ve lived here long enough to experience both ends of the healthcare spectrum. From late-night emergency visits to routine checkups, flu scares, and unexpected tropical diseases. This guide is based on real experiences, not just Google reviews.

So whether you’re an expat, digital nomad, or traveler, here’s exactly where to go, what to expect, and how to get proper medical care in Phnom Penh.

But first, speaking of health and all that, prevention is always better than treatment! Check out this Ultimate Phnom Penh Gyms Guide!

What Are Hospitals Like in Cambodia?

Short answer? It depends.

Healthcare in Cambodia varies wildly based on where you go, how much you’re willing to pay, and what your personal standard of care looks like. We’ve visited some of the most expensive private hospitals in Phnom Penh, and some of the cheapest public ones.

Hands down, we prefer private hospitals.

And that’s coming from someone who grew up knowing what the South African public hospital system looks like (which, honestly, I prefer over many public hospital options here).

Public hospitals in Phnom Penh have very mixed reviews amongst expats as well. Some people feel totally fine using them. Others have concerns about hygiene, communication, wait times, or quality and consistency in care. Pricing can also be unpredictable: sometimes you’re charged, sometimes you’re not.

I don’t have medical aid in Cambodia. And I still choose private hospitals every time, even though I have to pay out of pocket.

We’ve had four emergency late-night visits:

• One for dengue fever
• One after my husband had a run-in with a Nairobi eye blister beetle (yes, that’s a thing)
• After we both developed severe viral infections during the “great flu of 2026” that swept Phnom Penh

Both times, we arrived around midnight, received multiple tests, medication, and treatment (ongoing, not just once off), and paid under $300 total for the entire treatment. That’s out of pocket.

Obviously, surgery or hospitalization is a different story and can add up quickly. But for emergency care, diagnostics, and short visits, private hospitals here are far more affordable than most Western countries. Plus, your travel insurance will likely be covered at the private hospitals.

How Good Is Cambodia’s Healthcare, Really?

I’ll be honest: overall public healthcare in Cambodia is not great.

If you want high-quality care, good communication in English, modern equipment, and doctors who explain what’s happening, you need to go to international private hospitals.

I personally only fully recommend Intercare Hospital Phnom Penh. We’ve been there multiple times and trust them completely.

Other hospitals that many expats recommend (and that we’ve tried or researched thoroughly) include:

• Khema Hospital Phnom Penh
• Sunrise Japan Hospital Phnom Penh
• Raffles Medical Clinic

These are the places where you’re most likely to feel safe, understood, and properly treated.

Hospitals We Recommend in Phnom Penh

TOP RECOMMENDATION: Intercare Hospital Phnom Penh

This will always be my first recommendation.

Intercare feels professional, calm, and well-organized. Local and international doctors explain things clearly (also in English), staff are attentive, and everything feels… competent. Which is exactly what you want when you’re sick or scared.

We’ve been here for emergencies, testing, check-ups, and follow-ups. Every experience has been consistent and reassuring.

Yes, it’s private. Yes, it costs more than public hospitals.

But for us, the peace of mind is worth it every single time.

If you’re unsure where to go, go here.

They also take most travel insurances and health insurances. To give you an idea of costs, we’ve been here for 3 ER visits, and each time it was about $300 which included tests and treatment. Obviously, something like surgery and hospitalisation will cost SIGNIFICANTLY MORE.

Khema International Polyclinic Hospital Phnom Penh

We visited Khema Polyclinic in BKK1 twice over the years. The first, when my husband couldn’t shake a stubborn flu for several weeks. The second as an emergency visit during Pchum Ben (there was a super bad viral infections going around).

For Jono’s visit, there were no major red flags, and the care was fine. But compared to Intercare, it felt slightly less polished and a bit less personal.

I do also feel from my own hospitalisation there that the doctors tend to over-test when they see foreigners (a bunch of irrelevant tests after we’ve already diagnosed the issue), and we were not given cheaper options for rooms (only found out later that there were cheaper options available). So do with that information what you will.

The cost was definitely fair I think. It’s cheaper than Intercare, but in my opinion, so is the quality.

They did have a list of some insurance companies that accept, but I couldn’t see any travel insurance options on the list. So that’s something you’ll have to directly check with your provider.

Raffles Medical Clinic

Raffles is another well-known international clinic in Phnom Penh. It’s often recommended for general medical issues, checkups, and outpatient care.

It has a strong reputation among expats and travelers, especially for straightforward medical needs. Think: flu symptoms, infections, follow-ups, or travel-related health concerns.

We’ve never personally been here because it has always been far from where we live.

Sunrise Japan Hospital Phnom Penh

Sunrise Japan Hospital is one of the most modern hospitals in the city. Clean, high-tech, and very structured.

It’s often recommended for more serious procedures or diagnostics. The downside? It can feel more formal, and communication may depend on which staff members you interact with. Still, it’s a trusted name and a good option for higher-level care.

Again, haven’t been here personally because it is not in our area.

Public Hospitals in Phnom Penh (Including Referral Hospitals)

You may hear about places like Phnom Penh Municipal Referral Hospital or other public hospitals.

Some locals and long-term residents are comfortable using them. Others avoid them completely. Reviews are mixed across the board, from pricing confusion to language barriers to differences in care standards (or competency).

If you’re on a tight budget and speak Khmer (or can bring someone who does), public hospitals may be an option. If not, I strongly recommend private hospitals, especially in emergencies.

We’ve had several experiences at local hospitals and clinic. All of them HORRIFIC.

Example 1: The blister beetle incident, where Jono literally had yellow pussy eyes from the burns. First, they refused to help us. Then they said no doctors are available. Then the doctor said “flu” without doing a single test (FOR PUSSY EYES AND NO FLU SYMTPOMS!). While the examination took place, the door was wide open with several staff members inside and outside the examination room gawking at the foreigners.

Example 2: Jono had an ultrasound and the doctor proceeded to give me the results as if I am the patient, even though he JUST did the ultrasound on Jono 10 minutes ago. When I pointed out I’m not the patient, he just laughed and said he got confused.

Example 3: Went for a check-up. Doctor ran late. When I eventually went into the appointment room he was playing pool on his phone and said he just wants to finish his game before we start.

So yeah, needless to say, we will never try it again or even give the benefit of the doubt. And these were all at 3 different institutes.

Where to Get Blood Tests in Phnom Penh

For blood tests, again, we only go to places we trust.

If we are getting treated/tested at Intercare Hospital, they can run bood tests there. However, some tests they also send to Institut Pasteur du Cambodge.

You can go there directly and get tested and they also are the best place to get proper vaccinations (from rabies vaccines to Tentanus shots).

Khema also has internal testing available for most things.

Dental Hospitals in Phnom Penh (Highly Recommended)

Dental care in Phnom Penh is okay (depending on where you go) and affordable.

If you need dental work, these are solid options:

• Roomchang Dental Hospital
• Eurodental
• MALIS Dental Clinic

I do prefer going to a dentist in Bangkok (I just like that clinic more, and it’s a fun weekend away). But for emergency visits, the above are highly recommended.

For more complicated procedures though, do consider a trip to Bangkok. I liked BIDC (Bangkok International Dental Center).

Best Phnom Penh Pharmacies

There are no shortage of pharmacies in Phnom Penh, but pharmacies that don’t possibly sell fake medicine? A different story entirely.

ONLY buy medicine directly from the hospital, at UCare, or at Pharmacie de la Gare.

Fake medicines are a MASSIVE issue in Cambodia and we learned that the hard way.

Second CRUCIAL point I want to make here: DO NOT LET THE PHARMACIST PRESCRIBE YOU MEDICINE! It happens ALL of the time. I had a sore throat for months (turns out to be silent reflux from a bacterial imbalance) and the pharmacist, without even asking any questions, wanted to give me antibiotics for 5 days (which would have made the situation so much worse).

Only get what your doctor prescribes or what you know.

Final Thoughts: Don’t Panic: Just Be Prepared

Getting sick or injured in a new country is scary. But Phnom Penh does have reliable medical options if you know where to go.

Save this post. Bookmark it. Screenshot the hospital names. Trust me: you’ll be glad you did.

If you’ve had experiences with a Phnom Penh hospital (good or bad), I’d love to hear them. Drop a comment, share this guide with a friend, or follow along on my blog and social channels for more honest, lived-in guides to life in Cambodia.

Because being prepared is always better than panicking at midnight.