During the COVID-19 pandemic, many villagers in remote and sometimes high-risk districts have not had access to the internet and were also unable to understand messages shared in Lao language on steps they needed to take.
WHO Representative to Lao PDR, Dr Mark Jacobs said, “Reaching people in remote areas and sharing important practical advice on how they can protect themselves and their families from COVID-19, and in their own languages, was one of the key communication challenges we faced in Lao PDR.”
With funding received from the Germany Federal Ministry of Health (BMG), 50 sets of public address (PA) systems were installed in targeted remote areas that were prone to disease outbreaks and natural disasters. Another 150 sets of mobile loudspeakers were also procured to support community engagement activities for COVID-19 and beyond.
WHO informatics assistant Mr Sensing Saetern and national communication consultant Mr Somlith Khounpaseuth visited three provinces in the north of the country, Phongsaly, Oudomxai and Luang Prabang, to oversee the installation of these systems in these hard to reach communities, and train health centre staff on their use. They were also able to discuss with the communities how these PA systems could make an important practical contribution to protecting and promoting their health.
In many of these remote communities, ethnic languages were widely spoken. By installing the PA system, it allows the health workers to more easily communicate with the villagers in their own languages. Beyond COVID-19, the health workers can also use the PA system to communicate other health threats facing the communities such as measles, dengue, and for health promotion activities like vaccination. In some cases, PA systems could be used to give early warning to community during natural disasters like floods. We will now look at some examples of how the PA systems are being used in these provinces.
Phongsaly Province
“I am very glad that we have received the PA system which is being installed at our health center, so that we can communicate regularly with those living in the nearby Mien village.” said Ms. Simai Inchack, Acting Head of Phadeng Health Center,
Yord Ou District. At this health centre located more than 130 kilometres from the Phongsali Capital, there is no electricity and running water, so they used solar panels to generate power for the health center, and water was brought from a nearby
village.
“We can also ask the head of the Mien village to use the PA system when we need to communicate with villagers in Mien language,” she added.
Ms. Simai Inchack, Acting Head of Phadeng Health Center used the PA system to communicate with villagers in the Mien village. Photo credit: WHO / S Khounpaseuth
Oudomxai Province
In Nga District of Oudomxai Province, Huay Lai Health Center was prioritized to receive the PA system, and the health centre serves four villages made up of Hmong, Khmu and Lao communities.
“With the PA system, we can make announcements for parents to remind them to bring their babies for vaccinations.” said Ms. Bounnong Phimmathong, Deputy Head, Huay Lai Health Center.
Ms. Bounnong Phimmathong, Deputy Head of the Huay Lai Health Center in Nga District, Oudomxai Province. Photo credit: WHO / S Khounpaseuth
Ms Pheng, a 27-year-old mother of three children from a Khmu village in Nga District said, “I will bring my youngest baby to have vaccination as I know that vaccine helps to protect my children from getting sick easily.”
Ms. Pheng with her baby. Photo credit: WHO / S Khounpaseuth
Luang Prabang Province
Khone Keung Health Center in Ngoy District, Luang Prabang Province provides health services to eight villages serving more than 3,300 villagers who are Hmong, Khmu and Lao. The health center staff worked closely with village authorities to provide COVID-19
messages to the community, and also helped to monitor returning migrant workers at designated quarantine centres in the district.
In the past, health workers had to travel to the communities, to inform them of upcoming outreach health activities. With the PA system, they can deliver the message more quickly with frequent reminders.
Ms. Phonephet Philakham, senior nurse at Khone Keung Health Center testing the PA system. Photo credit: WHO / S Khounpaseuth
Ms. Phonephet Philakham checks a sick child at Khone Keung Health Center. Photo credit: WHO / S Khounpaseuth
These PA systems have been well received by the communities, and health workers are excited that they can use the system to provide regular health updates to the community. They are also working with the local authorities, in developing messages in ethnic languages, so that the community can stay well informed about health activities, and about actions they can take to protect and promote their health.