26 February 2020, Vientiane Capital – As Lao People’s Democratic Republic (PDR) prepares for a possible outbreak of COVID-19, the Government of Japan, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the World Health Organization have made donations of personal protective equipment for healthcare workers to help limit the spread of the virus, if it hits.
Associate Professor Dr Bounkong Syhavong, Minister of Health Lao PDR, expressed his appreciation to the Government of Japan, USAID and WHO for their assistance, saying: “Personal protective equipment for health workers is crucial in any outbreak response, not only here in Lao PDR but all countries around the world. This contribution to protect our health professionals from infection should an outbreak occur will go a long way towards strengthening our efforts to stop COVID-19 in Lao.”
Healthcare workers are at a high risk of infection during outbreaks such as COVID-19, because they are providing essential care on the frontlines. It is important that they have proper protective clothing and equipment to keep them safe while treating patients.
Japan’s contribution was transferred from the ASEM Initiative for the Rapid Containment of Pandemic Influenza stockpile of personal protective equipment, which is kept in Singapore for use in outbreaks in ASEM countries and their neighbours. This initiative was launched in 2009, with the objective of being able to respond rapidly to any possible pandemic of influenza without procurement delays.
Dr Mark Jacobs, WHO Representative to Lao PDR, praised the contributions of Japan and USAID, saying: “Only by anticipating the needs of countries before major outbreaks hit can we avert disaster. Our frontline health workers are the key to making sure that COVID-19 is stopped as soon as possible and other essential health services continue to be provided, if the virus comes to Lao PDR. All partners are grateful to the Government of Japan and to USAID for their contribution.”
Earlier this month, USAID donated 440 pairs of protective goggles, 1,500 surgical gowns, 220 face shields, 3 boxes of biohazard bags, 22 boxes of aprons, 7 boxes of N95 face masks, 9 boxes of safety boxes, 132 boxes of gloves, and 590 bottles of alcohol hand sanitizer. The donation from the Government of Japan consisted of 4,680 isolation gowns, 6,100 pairs of gloves, 6,000 N95 masks, 13,200 surgical masks, 27 goggles, and 240 bottles of alcohol hand rub.
WHO has been supporting the Ministry of Health to prepare Lao PDR for the eventuality of a COVID-19 outbreak. As part of this support, WHO has donated 200 protective goggles, 70 boxes of gloves, 11 boxes of N95 face masks, 34 boxes of tie-on surgical masks, 220 non-sterile surgical masks, one respirator, 200 surgical gowns and 90 bottles of alcohol hand sanitizer.
Photo 1: (From left to right) Dr Mark Jacobs, WHO Representative to Lao PDR; H.E. Takewaka Keizo, Ambassador of Japan to the Lao PDR; Dr Bounkong Syhavong, Minister of Health Lao PDR. Photo credit: WHO/Vanly Lorkuangming
Photo 2: (From left to right) Dr Mark Jacobs, WHO Representative to Lao PDR; Dr Phouthone Meuangpak, Vice Minister of Health Lao PDR; Dr. Peter M. Haymond, U.S. Ambassador to Lao PDR. Photo credit: WHO/Dr Reiko Tsuyuoka
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