In the face of Thailand’s aggression against Cambodia’s sovereignty, Cambodia is finding strength not through conflict, but through capability.
I, Chanraksmey Veal, Chief Operating Officer of Zentrogene Medical Laboratory, have dedicated my career to building a future where Cambodians no longer depend on foreign powers — especially Thailand — for essential healthcare services like genetic testing.
The recent invasion by Thailand into Cambodian territory, followed by threats to cut off healthcare logistics and restrict medical testing services, has shaken our nation. But at Zentrogene, we were prepared, not with weapons, but with infrastructure, expertise, and a deep commitment to national self-reliance in science and medicine.
From Dependency to Capability: A Mission Rooted in National Pride
For too long, Cambodian patients and hospitals were forced to send critical genetic samples abroad — particularly to Thailand — due to the lack of in-country technology and expertise in genetic testing. This dependency came at a high cost: delayed results, increased expenses, limited control, and now, political vulnerability.
My vision at Zentrogene has always been simple yet powerful:
“To pioneer breakthroughs in genetic testing, empowering individuals and healthcare professionals with precise insights for proactive health management and effective personalized treatment strategies.”
That vision has become reality.
We have successfully established the most advanced genetic laboratory in Cambodia, fully equipped with Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) and a highly qualified team with educational backgrounds and experiences from the UK, the US, China, and Hong Kong. With this, we’ve ended the era of dependency and ushered in a new chapter of Cambodian scientific sovereignty.
World-Class Testing, Made in Cambodia
Our facility delivers both genetic and clinical diagnostic services, including:
Genetic Testing:
- Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT) — our flagship service
- Reproductive genetic tests (PGT, CNV)
- Carrier screening (e.g., thalassemia, SMA, G6PD, CF)
- Kinship testing (paternity, non-invasive prenatal paternity)
- Cancer predisposition (e.g., BRCA1/2)
- Pharmacogenomics (drug compatibility)
- Metagenomics (pathogenic microorganism detection)
- Personal genetic tests (metabolism, sudden cardiac death risk)
- Post-transplant surveillance
Medical Testing:
- Quantitative PCR (qPCR)
- Hematology & Coagulation
- Biochemistry
- Serology & Immunology
No longer do samples need to be flown to Bangkok. Cambodian doctors can now trust Cambodian labs to deliver results that meet international standards — faster, safer, and with local capability.
Beyond Health: A Strategic Asset for National Resilience
Our mission at Zentrogene extends beyond individual patient care. By localizing cutting-edge genetic capabilities, we are building a strategic asset for Cambodia — one that strengthens not only healthcare but also other critical sectors.
NGS technology, now in our hands, enables us to support:
- Public health surveillance and outbreak response
- Agricultural innovation and food security
- Biodiversity and environmental monitoring
- Scientific research and national policy-making
In short, genetics is no longer a foreign asset we borrow — it is now a Cambodian strength we grow.
Backing Cambodian Researchers: Funding Local Science
Zentrogene is committed to supporting the next generation of Cambodian researchers. We actively offer free testing and sequencing support to academic and scientific institutions conducting studies related to genetics and precision medicine.
We welcome collaborations across healthcare, agriculture, environmental science, and public health. Our goal is to create a research environment where Cambodian ideas are tested on Cambodian soil — utilizing the latest technology and eliminating the need for outsourcing.
Standing Firm Against Thailand invassion
The recent Thai invasion and its veiled threats to cut off healthcare support for Cambodian people are not just military moves — they are strategic attempts to weaken Cambodian sovereignty by controlling essential services. For years, Thailand has quietly held a monopoly over much of our advanced diagnostics and medical logistics.
Now, under pressure, their true intention is clear: to remind us of our dependence.
But at Zentrogene, we reject this narrative. With our capabilities fully operational in Phnom Penh, we are sending a clear message:
The people of Cambodia will no longer bow to medical extortion. We will stand on our own.
What Thailand once provided out of convenience, we now deliver by design — with greater speed and superior quality.
Cambodia First: My Personal Commitment
As COO of Zentrogene, I don’t see this as just a career – I view it as an essential national obligation. I believe in a Cambodia where: Science thrives within our borders, medical professionals operate without foreign dependency, prenatal care is timely and assured, and no neighboring country can threaten our people’s access to life-saving services.
This is the Cambodia we are building — confidently, scientifically, and independently.
We have the technology.
We have the people.
And most importantly, we have the will and national pride.
Final Words: Sovereignty Through Science
In this moment of aggressive invasion from the neighboring country, the importance of our national healthcare capability has never been clearer. Cambodia must not and will not depend on the other country that threatens our well-being in times of conflict. And under the highly esteemed and visionary leadership of Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei HUN MANET. Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, the nation continues to enjoy peace and stability—critical foundations for progress in healthcare and scientific innovation. His government’s clear vision has prioritized the development of a resilient healthcare system, the advancement of medical science, and the reduction of dependency on foreign services.
With Zentrogene as a leading operator, we are demonstrating that Cambodian-led science in the genetic field is not only possible but also a powerful tool for enhancing our national resilience. We are fighting not with conflict, but with competence.
Let the world — and Thailand — know this:
Cambodia is no longer waiting. We are standing. We are building. And we are rising.
