VIENTIANE (Vientiane Times/ANN): Laos was able to report good results in family planning uptake, skilled birth attendance, and lowering maternal mortality, during attendance at the 57th Session of the United Nations’ Commission on Population and Development last week.
The conference took place from April 29-May 3 at the United Nations’ Headquarters in New York, USA, and was attended by a high-level delegation from Laos composed of representatives of the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Planning and Investment, and the Permanent Mission in New York.
Speaking at the conference, Minister of Health Dr Bounfeng Phoummalaysith reaffirmed Laos’ commitment to accelerating efforts to achieve zero preventable maternal deaths, zero unmet need for family planning, and zero gender-based violence, along with eliminating harmful practices and child marriages.
Special attention has been given to the demographic transition and harnessing the demographic dividend, empowering the people of Laos, especially focusing on young and future generations, Dr Bounfeng said.
The demographic dividend is being harnessed by developing a multi-sectoral roadmap to accelerate implementation of the National Population and Development Policy through integration into National Socio-Economic Development Plans, sectoral plans, and sub-national frameworks.
The government is also addressing the climate challenges faced by the health sector and other social sectors by increasing investments for building a resilient healthcare system, including life-saving sexual and reproductive health and gender-based violence response services.
In addition, the government aims to improve people’s health and well-being, including their sexual and reproductive health and rights, by increasing investments in family planning and mobilising partnerships and resources for national family planning programmes by developing a comprehensive family planning strategy and cost-implementation plan.
There are also plans to strengthen the population data governance system and national monitoring frameworks for socio-economic development by prioritising and ensuring the use of the 2025 Population and Housing Census and surveys to inform the 10th National Socio-Economic Development Plan.
The Lao delegation, led by Dr Bounfeng, also engaged in a side event with Cambodia and Vietnam in partnership with UNFPA and with the support of the Government of Australia.
This took the theme “Advancing the International Conference on Population and Development Programme of Action” and how it contributes to sustainable development in the Mekong region.
The meeting’s sub-themes were national mechanisms and commitment, family planning, reducing maternal mortality, and comprehensive sexuality education.
The three countries will maintain momentum to further strengthen joint efforts through south-south and triangulation cooperation frameworks to accelerate the Programme of Action in the region. - Vientiane Times/ANN
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