VIENTIANE (Vientiane Times/ANN): The Laos Ministry of Health launched a new health project in Bokeo province on Friday to control the spread of HIV, tuberculosis and malaria.
The project is being implemented with development assistance from the French government through L’Initiative and Expertise France.
The total cost of the three-year project is 3 million euros.
Supported by AFD and led by IRD, the project is being carried out in Laos and Thailand to prevent the emergence and spread of diseases while ensuring food security and livelihoods for the most vulnerable communities, with a particular focus on Bokeo province.
The French Ambassador to Laos, Mrs Siv-Leng Chhuor, said the 2 million euro allocated by L’Initiative to the Ministry of Health, will support the rollout of the project in Bokeo, in partnership with the civil society organisation CHIAS.
The project aims to improve access to and the quality of care by integrating services for HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria to strengthen the capacities and skills of community and public health workers through continuous training and career management plans.
In addition, civil society actors will be encouraged to participate in shared governance and more inclusive field data monitoring and evaluation.
The pilot project aims to become a model for replication in the region, demonstrating how universal health coverage can be achieved by mobilising a wide range of actors for lasting results, the Ambassador said.
Speaking at the launch of the project, Minister of Health, Dr Bounfeng Phommalaysith, said “We know that HIV, tuberculosis and malaria are major public health problems and threaten the health of people across the country.”
Bokeo province presents significant challenges due to its geographical position, diverse ethnic composition, migratory population, and notably high rates of HIV and TB infections, complicating disease control efforts, he added.
To address these challenges, the Party and state leadership have prioritised the control of these diseases, aiming for their elimination in Laos by 2030.
Governor of Bokeo province, Dr Thongchan Manixay, said “On behalf of the provincial leadership, we are ready to cooperate and support this work, especially encouraging cooperation with various organisations, whether public, private or international, in Bokeo province, to achieve the goals of the project.”
“I am confident that those responsible at each level will actively coordinate to fulfil the work plan efficiently and effectively, so that the project can be expanded to all health centres throughout the province.” - Vientiane Times/ANN
