Category: Health

Vientiane Taskforce Committee for Covid-19 Prevention and Control has issued a notice banning all large gatherings and parties during the celebration of New Year.

The notice urges relevant authorities in Vientiane to inspect businesses on a regular basis, making sure no alcoholic drinks are sold or served, and impose punishments on those violating anti-Covid-19 measures.

Covid-19 has infected 108,782 people nationwide as of Wednesday with over 1,040 new cases recorded over the past 24 hours, according to the National Taskforce Committee for Covid-19 Prevention and Control.

The disease has also claimed 355 lives including 13 reported over the past 24 hours.

Source: Lao News Agency

The Government of Japan on Dec 28 officially handed over cold chain equipment to the Ministry of Health to strengthen the Lao PDR’s ongoing roll out of COVID-19 vaccination. The equipment provided include 208 vaccine and icepack freezers, 480 refrigerators, spare parts for cold chain equipment, 500 vaccine carriers, 100 cold boxes and 10,000 ice packs. The items have a total combined value amounting to USD 913,141 and is a contribution made through UNICEF with the financial support of the Government of Japan.

The cold chain equipment provided is part of a project implemented by the Government of Japan to support cold chain system strengthening for the Lao PDR’s COVID-19 response, under which a total of USD 1.1. million has been allotted. Apart from the procurement of cold chain equipment, the remaining amount will be allocated towards furthering technical cooperation between Japan and the Government of the Lao PDR to support the Lao PDR’s cold chain system in the future.

“The Ministry of Health thanks the Government of Japan for this generous contribution of cold chain equipment. By strengthening the Lao PDR’s cold chain capacity and ability to store more COVID-19 vaccines, we will be able to reach even more people with life-saving vaccines during the pandemic,” remarked Dr. Phayvanh Keopaseuth , Vice Minister of Health.

In addition to the cold chain equipment, Japan also officially handed over 320,200 doses of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines to the Ministry of Health during the official ceremony, which previously arrived in the Lao PDR on 23 December. The vaccines were a donation made by Japan through the COVAX Facility – a partnership co-led by the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance and the World Health Organization (WHO), with UNICEF as a key delivery partner.

“This latest support from the Government of Japan is symbolic of our good will to the people of the Lao PDR during this challenging time,” said Mr. Kobayashi Kenichi, the Japanese Ambassador to the Lao PDR. “Cold Chain Equipment forms a vital part of the vaccine rollout, and I am therefore delighted that we are able to provide a range of equipment, including vaccine freezers and refrigerators to Laos to support and strengthen the vaccination system today. Furthermore, we are proud to have recently supported the Lao PDR with 320,200 doses of COVID-19 vaccine, which will help protect high-risk groups in the country. It is my strong hope that these vaccines, together with this Cold Chain Equipment, will go a long way towards helping Laos to be able to vaccinate their population.” he added.

“In addition to supporting the Government of Laos with COVID-19 vaccines, UNICEF is proud to be supporting the Ministry of Health in upgrading its cold chain capacity and providing technical guidance in this regard. We will continue to work with the Ministry of Health and our partners to ensure equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines for the Lao people,” remarked Ms. Leotes Helin, UNICEF Representative a.i. to the Lao PDR.

Source: Lao News Agency

The number of COVID-19 cases in Laos has reached 108,782 as of Wednesday with over 1,040 new cases recorded over the past 24 hours, according to the National Taskforce Committee for Covid-19 Prevention and Control.

The new infections included 419 cases reported in Vientiane, 127 in Luang Namtha, 92 in Oudomxay, 51 in Xaysomboun, and 44 in Luang Prabang.

The past hours witnessed 13 deaths with three each reported in Luang Namtha and Vientiane (province), two in Vientiane, and one each in Borikhamsay, Luang Prabang, Huaphan, Bokeo and Xieng Khuang.

The new deaths have brought the death toll to 355.

Source: Lao News Agency

The Government of the Russian Federation has decided to provide US$ 12 million to improve healthcare services in Laos, according to the Russian Embassy in Vientiane.

A feasibility study on the comprehensive modernization of Mittaphab Hospital (150-Bed Hospital) in Vientiane has been conducted by the country office of the United Nations Office for Project Service (UNOPS).

The project aims to improve Laos’ healthcare system, strengthen the latter’s anti-Covid-19 response, support the Lao government’s efforts to remove Laos from the UN’s list of Least Developed Countries by 2026, and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

Source: Lao News Agency

The Phongsavanh Group Co., Ltd has donated six ambulances worth over US$294,000 to the Lao government to support its anti-Covid-19 efforts.

The handover ceremony was held at the Prime Minister’s Office in Vientiane on Dec 27 between Chairman of Phongsavanh Group Chanthone Sitthixay and Minister and Head of the Prime Minister’s Office Khamjen Vongphosy in the presence of relevant officials.

“Today ambulance donation aims to help the Party and government in their prevention and control efforts against Covid-19 in the country,” said Chairman of Phongsavanh Group Chanthone Sitthixay.

In reply, Minister Khamjen appreciated the donor for its generous assistance and assured the company that the Prime Minister’s Office will work with the Ministry of Health to distribute the ambulances to authorities in need.

The minister also presented a congratulatory certificate to the company in recognition of its contribution to the government’s fight against Covid-19.

Previously, the corporation donated medical equipment and supplies and relief aid worth US$1 million to central and provincial Covid-19 taskforce committees to support anti-Covid-19 fight in the country.

Source: Lao News Agency

Some 962 new Covid-19 cases and 14 new deaths, the highest daily death toll ever recorded, have been recorded nationwide over the past 24 hours, bringing the total to 107,740 including 342 deaths.

The new infections included 500 cases reported in Vientiane, 84 in Oudomxay, 57 in Luang Prabang, 51 in Bokeo, 48 in Xieng Khuang, 47 in Vientiane (province) and 39 in Phongsaly, according to the National Taskforce Committee for Covid-19 Prevention and Control.

The new deaths were documented in Vientiane – five, Xayaboury six and Huaphan, Bokeo and Xaysomboun, one each.

Source: Lao News Agency