Representatives from the Lao Ministry of Health, European Union (EU), and the World Health Organization (WHO) met today in Vientiane to celebrate the progress made, and highlight the work ahead, on a range of joint health-related development efforts.
The event marks the conclusion of a combined response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and strengthening of the health system to respond to future crises, by the Ministry of Health, the EU and WHO.
The joint programme saw thousands of healthcare workers and other medical professionals trained, and a wide array of support provided for emergency and clinical management, disease surveillance, laboratory testing, risk communication and community engagement, infection prevention and control, and sanitation and waste management in hospitals and other facilities.
The 67.3 billion Lao kip (US$ 3.3 million) of support to Lao PDR, over a three-year period, was part of US$ 24.8 million provided by the EU to support health across eight ASEAN nations.
Minister of Health Dr Bounfeng Phoummalaysith said: “This important partnership not only provided critical support across the health system amid the peak of the COVID-19 crisis, at an incredibly difficult time, but allowed us to recover faster, and simultaneously strengthen the health system's capacity to meet the needs of our people, preparing for future disease outbreaks and other health crises.”
During the pandemic, from a health security perspective, more than 650 health professionals were trained on disease surveillance, laboratory techniques, and health security at border crossings, while four provinces were supported to improve health emergency response, and over 600 COVID-19 samples were analysed to track new variants.
“The European Union is proud to see significant enhancements in health sector across multiple areas, enabling an effective COVID-19 response and building resilience to ensure readiness for the next challenge,” said H.E. Ina Marčiulionytė, European Union Ambassador to the Lao PDR.
A crucial area for both the COVID-19 response and climate resilience was enhancing infection prevention and control and improving basic water and sanitation facilities in healthcare facilities. More than 35 facilities across the country received equipment and supplies to reduce the risk of healthcare-acquired infections. Simultaneously, training was provided to more than 630 health staff to improve practices, identify gaps, and strengthen health systems.
WHO Acting Representative Dr Yu Lee Park said: “My congratulations go to all partners – this programme is a demonstration of the collaboration and determination created amid the COVID-19 pandemic, showing progress is possible, and resilience for the future can be achieved. But, a great deal of work remains, particularly to ensure facilities are ready for future management of emergencies including emergency medical services and the health workforce is ready for any and all challenges. We have achieved much together, and must not lose that momentum, we must continue to make advances towards health for all.”
