Govt leaders inspect Covid-19 treatment, health facilities

Prime Minister Phankham Viphavanh and other government leaders on Saturday visited hospitals, treatment facilities and border checkpoints to supervise officials working on the ground.
Their visit not only gave them first-hand insight into how health and security officials are performing their duty in response to the Covid-19 outbreak but also enabled them to give encouragement to doctors, police and soldiers, who are working to curb the spread of the virus.
This reflects the fact that the government is concerned about the health of Lao people and is doing everything possible to keep the virus in check.

Prime Minister Phankham visited Mittaphab Hospital in Vientiane to inspect Covid-19 treatment and other facilities and heard how hospital staff were dealing with the Covid-19 outbreak in terms of personnel and medical equipment, and also how the recent Prime Minister’s Order was being implemented by authorities.
He thanked health workers, whom he described as white-shirted warriors, for their efforts to keep the virus in check.
The prime minister advised health authorities to circulate more information about Covid-19 to broaden people’s knowledge of basic prevention and treatment, as well as inspire public participation in the fight against the virus.
He advised health officials to monitor the management of medical staff and to reduce congestion in hospitals, saying health authorities should ensure that medical personnel remained in good physical and mental health.
Prime Minister Phankham and his team, including Minister of Health Dr Bounfeng Phoummalaisith, later visited a facility being prepared for the treatment of Covid-19 patients at the Lane Xang Stadium in Don Koi village, Sisattanak district. This will be a makeshift hospital if a major outbreak occurs.
On the same day, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Planning and Investment, Dr Sonexay Siphandone, visited the First Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge to inspect operations at the border crossing before going to the Lao National Football Federation in Huayhong village which will also be used as a field or makeshift hospital for Covid-19 patients. Minister of Public Security, Police Lt. Gen. Vilay Lakhamphong, together with representatives of the National Covid-19 Taskforce and security forces visited Hamesa Hospital. Meanwhile Minister of National Defence, General Chansamone Chanyalath, visited the 103 Hospital, which has been accommodating Covid-19 patients since last month.
The hospital has 33 single rooms for the isolation and treatment of Covid-19 patients and more than 200 medical staff to provide special care for them. Deputy Prime Minister Prof. Dr Kikeo Khaykhamphithoune visited Covid-19 testing facilities to view the preparation of officials in response to the virus outbreak.
The government is also readying public hospitals to care for Covid-19 patients as the number of infections continues to rise. In Vientiane, Mittaphab Hospital, Mahosot Hospital and 103 Hospital have been designated to accommodate people who contract the virus.

By Phetphoxay Sengpaseuth
(Latest Update April 26, 2021)