Japan offers 74 ambulances to bolster Covid response needs

Laos will continue to work with development partners to ensure that people around the country can access healthcare services and their emergency needs are met.
To this end, the Ambassador of Japan to Laos, Mr Kenichi Kobayashi, on Monday handed over 74 ambulances to Directors General and Deputy Directors General of departments within the Ministry of Health.

The ambulances and all the equipment provided will be used to transport patients and support the Covid response at the provincial level, as well as helping the five central hospitals and all nine district hospitals in Vientiane to record and report confirmed Covid cases.
Minister of Health Dr Bounfeng Phoummalaysith received the ambulances, which are Nissan SUV four-wheel drive models, as well as medical equipment donated by the government of Japan to support the Covid response in Laos.
“These ambulances will be distributed to hospitals at the central, provincial and district levels. Taking this opportunity, I would like to express my gratitude to the Ambassador and the people Japan and, together with the Lao people, convey my sincere thanks to the government of Japan.”
“This support will greatly improve Lao people’s access to healthcare services, especially in emergency situations,” he added.
He expressed gratitude to the Japanese government for its generous assistance, noting that it was an important contribution to the Lao government’s Covid prevention and containment efforts. “Our goal is to achieve Universal Health Care through 11 health indicators, in particular by lowering infant and maternal morbidity and mortality rates.”
“I am confident that these ambulances and all the equipment donated today will significantly improve the transportation of patients as well as strengthen the referral system across the country, especially in rural areas,” the minister added. Ambassador Kobayashi said “I strongly hope these ambulances will be utilised effectively at medical sites in each province for tackling Covid-19. Recently, imported cases of Covid have been spiking, particularly in border areas. I believe the deployment of ambulances will help to enhance the capability of local authorities to cope with emergencies.”
This is the second time vehicle support has been received from the government of Japan, which donated seven ambulances in August last year. These ambulances were deployed in the southern provinces of Savannakhet, Champassak and Attapeu.

By Phetphoxay Sengpseuth
 (Latest Update June 7, 2022)