PM visits Friendship Hospital to monitor patient treatment

Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith has stressed the importance of protecting medical workers from infection while they care for patients who have contracted Covid-19.
Mr Thongloun raised the issue on Monday when talking to the management team at the Friendship Hospital during a visit to the new Covid-19 treatment centre.

The prime minister and members of the National Taskforce Committee on Prevention and Control of Covid-19 visited the new building which has been set up to treat people who have contracted the disease.
Hospital Director Dr Sanong Thongsana said his staff had been screening and testing people for possible infection since January, as well as caring for patients.
There are currently 11 people with the virus at the Friendship Hospital. Dr Sanong said they were well and had no symptoms but the virus was still present and they should remain at the hospital for observation.
Speaking to the media, Dr Sanong said that during the meeting with the hospital management, the prime minister asked what kind of assistance medical staff needed.
The hospital has 20 sets of respiratory equipment but this has not been needed yet as none of the patients has been seriously ill and did not need assistance with breathing.
There are also sufficient supplies of personal protective equipment which the hospital has received from the taskforce committee and the Ministry of Health, and the hospital has also been given items by members of the public.
Describing the safety measures instituted by the hospital, Dr Sanong said medical staff involved in the care of Covid-19 patients had not met with their families during the treatment period.
He also spoke of the dedication displayed by medical staff and said he was proud of their efforts. So far, no medical workers at the hospital have contracted the virus.

By Somxay Sengdara
(Latest Update April 28, 2020)