VIENTIANE (Laotian Times): The Laos Ministry of Health has spelled out goals under the National Nursing Development Plan to 2030 and summarised achievements to date in continuous professional development for nurses and midwives.
A report on the development of the nursing profession was delivered by Deputy Minister of Health Aphone Visathep at a meeting held at Mittaphab Hospital on Wednesday.
Medical professionals from provincial hospitals and representatives from the World Health Organisation in Laos, JICA, the Japan Institute of Health Security, and other development partners attended the meeting.
Over the past several years, the ministry has made a determined effort to improve nursing standards to meet the demands of a modern health system by improving the quality of nursing education, Aphone said.
The ministry has also placed a strong emphasis on health service delivery, especially in primary health care.
The meeting shared the goals of the National Nursing Development Plan to 2030 with provincial nursing leaders and other stakeholders, explaining the future direction of nursing development.
The plan also proposed the establishment of a monitoring and evaluation framework and timeline to support systematic and well-coordinated implementation.
The meeting identified priorities for 2026 under the National Nursing Development Plan, and aimed to build understanding of continuing professional development and the different credentialing systems in each province.
According to the Health Information and Health Education Centre, the meeting discussed the content of the National Nursing Development Plan to 2030, which was agreed upon by health officials in all provinces and related bodies.
A monitoring and evaluation framework and biannual monitoring schedule were put forward and agreed upon to ensure fulfilment of the National Nursing Development Plan for 2026 in each province.
The ultimate goal is for provincial health offices and hospitals to be accredited as continuous professional development institutions and to conduct training based on set guidelines.
Central hospitals will support provincial hospitals by providing advice on professional certification and continuous professional development. - Laotian Times
