HeartSafe Cambodia is an initiative working to improve access to lifesaving emergency response infrastructure across Cambodia.
It began with a simple problem: an automated external defibrillator can save a life, but only if people know where it is, can reach it quickly, and can be confident that it is ready to use.
The first step is building a trusted national AED registry that makes devices easier to find while giving the organisations responsible for them practical tools to keep their information accurate and their AEDs ready when they are needed.
About the founder
Judd's background spans Australian volunteer programs, disaster risk reduction, frontline firefighting, and projects delivered with government and industry. Through this work, and several years working in Cambodia, he has developed practical experience in emergency response, public service, community engagement, technology and systems development.
He established HeartSafe Cambodia around a simple problem: an automated external defibrillator can save a life, but only if people know where it is, can reach it quickly, and can be confident that it is ready to use.
HeartSafe Cambodia began with the development of a national AED registry designed specifically for the Cambodian context. The platform combines public AED location information with tools that allow organisations to register, manage, inspect and maintain their devices. The project is also developing mobile inspection, emergency guidance and healthcare-location tools, with support for Khmer and English and for environments where internet connectivity may be unreliable.
Judd's longer-term goal is for HeartSafe Cambodia to become a collaborative national platform rather than simply a technology project. This means working with government, healthcare providers, emergency services, medical device distributors, businesses, schools, hotels, NGOs and other organisations to improve AED availability, maintenance, awareness and emergency preparedness throughout Cambodia.
The project is being developed independently, with the intention of building useful infrastructure first, demonstrating its value, and creating the partnerships needed to make it sustainable at a national level.
Mission and vision
To improve survival from sudden cardiac arrest in Cambodia by making lifesaving equipment easier to find, better maintained and more accessible, while giving organisations the tools they need to manage their AEDs responsibly.
HeartSafe Cambodia will build trusted national infrastructure connecting AED owners, responders, healthcare services, government and the public through reliable data, practical technology, education and collaboration.
A Cambodia where no one loses precious time in a cardiac emergency because an AED could not be found, was inaccessible, or was not ready for use.
Our long-term vision is for every community to have appropriate access to lifesaving equipment, for every registered AED to be maintained and ready, and for people to have the knowledge and confidence to act when someone suffers a cardiac arrest.
HeartSafe Cambodia aims to become the trusted national source for AED information and an enabling platform through which government, healthcare providers, emergency services, businesses and communities can progressively strengthen Cambodia's cardiac emergency response network.
Where we're going
The national AED registry is the starting point for HeartSafe Cambodia, not the end goal.
Our immediate priority is to build a reliable picture of where AEDs are located and give the organisations responsible for them simple tools to keep that information accurate and their devices ready for use.
From there, we want to improve how people access emergency information, strengthen inspection and maintenance of AEDs, identify areas of Cambodia where access to defibrillation is limited, and work with partners to progressively close those gaps.
This will take collaboration. HeartSafe Cambodia is being built as infrastructure that government, healthcare providers, emergency services, medical device distributors, businesses, schools, NGOs and communities can contribute to and benefit from.
The technology can be built now. The longer-term direction should be shaped together with the organisations and people responsible for emergency care in Cambodia.
Get involved
We are seeking to collaborate with the Ministry of Health, relevant government agencies, healthcare providers, emergency services, medical device distributors, businesses, schools, NGOs and other organisations interested in improving access to lifesaving equipment and emergency preparedness in Cambodia.
Whether you own or manage AEDs, work in healthcare or emergency response, distribute medical equipment, represent a government or community organisation, or simply want to support the initiative, we would like to hear from you.