The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Ministry of Health (MOH) have signed their fifth annual funding workplan for an initial amount of US$ 2.1 million (LAK 17.5 billion). With US$ 11.3 million committed for this 2016-2017 biennium, the funding amount is showing an increase of 22% over the 2014-2015 biennia.
The signing ceremony between the Minister of Health, Associate Professor Dr Bounkong Syhavong and the WHO Representative to Lao People's Democratic Republic, Dr Juliet Fleischl, was the opportunity to reaffirm the continuing collaborative relationship between the Ministry and WHO in supporting the health reform in Laos, and their engagement in improving the health and development of the Lao population.
Director-Generals of MOH and WHO technical staff witness the signing ceremony
Dr Juliet Fleischl (left) and Dr Bounkong Syhavong (right) at the signing table
A handshake to seal the cooperation between WHO and MOH
The 2017 annual funding plan continues to support the Ministry of Health in agreed technical areas of the 8th Health Sector Development plan such as immunisation, communicable diseases surveillance and response, maternal and child health, as well as strengthening the health system. With this new plan, the biggest funding is allocated to the Expanded Programme for Immunization and Emerging Diseases Surveillance and Response.
The annual funding plan developed by the WHO and the MOH Department of Planning and International Cooperation was adopted by other development partners and remains the main tool to support the aid strategy.
For 2017, the annual funding plan is in line with the new Lao People's Democratic Republic - WHO Country Cooperation Strategy for 2017 – 2021 which will be launched later in February this year.