Japan gives boost to Laos’ fight against Covid

The Government of Japan decided at the cabinet meeting on August 3 to provide emergency grant aid of about US$710,000 in response to the surge in Covid-19 infections in Laos, according to the Japanese Embassy to Laos.

The money will be used to buy 100 oxygen concentrators, 100 suction pumps and 100 patient monitors. This special assistance is expected to help the Lao government care for the rapidly increasing number of patients by providing urgently-needed medical equipment.
Earlier in July, the Japanese government announced it would deliver about 600,000 doses of AstraZeneca vaccine produced in Japan to Laos. The shipment is on its way and is expected to arrive in Vientiane very soon.
Japan will continue its efforts to assist its partner Laos to overcome this difficult situation, the embassy said.
The government of Japan has provided various forms of assistance to Laos in the fight against Covid-19, including medical supplies and personal protective equipment, as well as vaccines.
Japan is also trying to improve cold chain logistics in Laos by gifting refrigerators and freezers under the “Last One Mile Support” programme for the storage and delivery of vaccines. This equipment is valued at US$1.8 million.
Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga recently announced an additional contribution of US$800 million for the provision of more vaccines to developing countries including Laos, at the COVAX AMC Summit meeting on June 2, pushing up Japan’s commitment to US$1 billion in total.
The government of Japan’s support for Laos’ response to the pandemic includes grant aid worth over 123 billion kip (JPY 1.5 billion) provided in June 2020 for the purchase of medical equipment for use by hospital and lab staff.

In December last year, Japan also provided Covid test machines, test kits, pipettes, computers, printers, uninterruptible power supply units, and personal protective equipment such as masks, gloves and gowns.

By Times Reporters
(Latest Update August 5, 2021)