(13th Congress) - Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Long, Minister of Health, on May 3 assigned 35 Vietnamese medical doctors and experts to support Laos in testing, treatment, and building field hospitals to prevent the COVID-19 pandemic.
Minister of Health Nguyen Thanh Long meets with
delegation members. (Photo: suckhoedoisong.vn)
According to the Minister of Health, Laos is currently in need of support for treatment of COVID-19 patients, the establishment of an intensive care units, testing and the operation of field hospitals.
“Vietnam has had valuable lessons in pandemic prevention in terms of traceability, isolation, centralized isolation, home isolation, blockade, social distancing and experience in treatment,” he said, adding that the delegation of experts will share and help Laos with these issues.
Regarding testing, he informed that Laos has a need to establish a testing system, test management or extensive testing. Initially, Vietnam will support breathing machines, masks and some other equipment. Therefore, he asked experts in this field share their experiences of supporting testing capacity with Laos.
The Minister also noted that Vietnamese experts should suggest Lao treatment units connect with the remote medical examination and treatment system of Vietnam so Vietnamese experts will provide maximum support for Laos’ prevention of COVID-19.
As proposed by Laos, Savannakhet and Vientiane need the support of Vietnamese doctors and experts in COVID-19 prevention.
Leaving Vietnam for Laos on May 4, the delegation of medical staff and experts includes 35 people led by Dr. Hoang Minh Duc, Deputy Director of the Preventive Medicine Department.
In a letter to Vietnamese Minister of Health Nguyen Thanh Long on May 2, the Lao Ministry of Health informed Laos’ need of 3 experts on infectious diseases; 3 experts on intensive care; 6 nurses for emergency departments; 3 experts on hygiene and disinfection; 3 experts on medical waste management; 3 experts on risk management; 3 experts on epidemiology; and 8 laboratory experts and technicians.
“This is also the first time such a large group of Vietnamese medical staff has come to Laos,” said Minister Long, adding that the ministry will give online support to the delegation to Laos./.
Compiled by BTA