Mayor advises district hospitals to set up coronavirus information centres  

All of the capital’s nine district hospitals should open information centres which can provide the public with helpful advice about ways to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus, the Mayor of Vientiane, Dr Sinlavong Khoutphaythoune, has said.
These centres would offer free information about the virus, provide referrals, and answer questions put by members of the public.
They would be a link between health professionals who can best answer questions about the virus and people who need advice, reassurance and information, he added.

Dr Sinlavong made the recommendation on Wednesday at the first meeting held to distribute practical information among the city’s health authorities and raise public awareness about the need to monitor for the presence of the virus.
He said the challenge now is to prevent people infected with the virus from entering Laos. In addition, many people do not have information about ways to prevent the spread of or protect themselves against the virus. However, central hospitals in Vientiane say most people in the capital have been informed about the best course of action.
The mayor said it was important that practical information be available to everyone and that all local residents should be able to get advice at district hospitals or health centres. Health centres have a focus on disease prevention as well as treatment, which is seen as vital to combating the virus.
Head of the Epidemiology Division under the Vientiane Health Department, Dr Chanthalay Sayavong, said it was generally acknowledged that educating the public was a key strategy in lowering the risk of virus transmission.
The Vientiane Health Department was preparing face masks for health workers and would also supply masks and respirators to at-risk groups, although a supply chain gap posed a risk to the spread of the virus, he added.
The department is also setting up coordination units at hospitals nationwide to help monitor and prevent the spread of the virus.
All hospitals will test blood samples given by people with symptoms of the virus. 
The Ministry of Health is requesting people who have travelled to an outbreak area to contact health workers on entry into Laos.
Those who have been to an outbreak area and are already in Laos and develop symptoms of the viral infection are instructed to call +856 20 5406 6777 to speak to a duty officer in Lao or English. This number is open for service 24 hours a day.
For more information, call the free hotline number 166 at any time of the night or day.  

By Phetphoxay Sengpaseuth
(Latest Update February 6, 2020)