A health worker provides ante-natal care in a remote area of Laos - Photo: UNICEF via Laotian Times
VIENTIANE, March 21 (Loatian Times/ANN): Mortality rates in children under five and birthing mothers in Laos have decreased significantly in the past year due to significant strides in hygiene and health promotion.
In 2022, the Ministry set a target for the mortality rate of children under five to be 36 deaths out of every 1,000 but has surpassed that target with only 140 deaths for every 100,000 births.
Mortality rates in birthing mothers also decreased significantly, although the exact numbers are unknown.
The figures were reported by Health Minister Dr. Bounfeng Phoummalaysith when addressing an annual meeting to review the success and challenges encountered in carrying out health development plans in 2022.
One of the main aims for the health sector is for hospitals to become financially self-reliant, along with strengthening healthcare in general.
In 2022, the health ministry prompted several successful health projects and also made good progress in improving food quality and the safety of medical products.
Dr. Bounfeng said, “We will strive to implement the government’s health policy and accelerate health reforms in the areas of human resource development, healthcare improvement, and expanding the health insurance system, as well as better management, and improved administration and circulation of information.”
The Ministry of Health has also taken measures to keep the prices of medical products and services stable, after prices for medical products surged during the Covid-19 pandemic. - Laotian Times
