Japan provides essential medical equipment to Laos to address the impact of COVID-19

The government of Japan has pledged more than US$3 million to help strengthen Laos’s COVID-19 response.
The handover ceremony of the medical equipment took place on Friday at the National Center of Laboratory and Epidemiology (NCLE) where the RT-PCR machines were passed on to the NCLE officials.
The laboratory equipment was handed over at the National Center of Laboratory and Epidemiology to support the country’s response and preparedness for COVID-19.

The equipment, which included RT-PCR machines, PCR test kits, medical pipettes, computers, printers, UPS, and PPEs (Personal Protective Equipment such as masks, gloves, gowns, etc.), comes as part of the support of the government of Japan to Laos’s response to COVID-19.
Ambassador of Japan to Laos Mr Takewaka Keizo handed the essential equipment over to Minister of Health Assoc. Prof. Dr Bounkong Syhavong during the official handover ceremony.
Mr Takewaka Keizo said “The medical equipment would help the strengthening of the capacity of this country against COVID-19. They also show Japan’s strong commitment to support the government and the people of Laos.”
The equipment forms part of the Japanese government’s larger support to Laos, and is being implemented by the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS). This support also includes the procurement of over 25 tonnes of personal protective equipment (PPEs) and other laboratory equipment, which has already been delivered by UNOPS to the NCLE and Medical Product Supply Center (MOH central warehouse).
Mr Syhavong said “It is essential that the laboratories at the central and provincial levels are well-equipped as laboratory staff is at the frontline of supporting the health system to respond to COVID-19 pandemic.”
By December 2020, under this grant, UNOPS has already procured laboratory equipment, such as autoclaves, biological safety cabinets, pipet stands, lab benches, cabinets, and chairs, which will be delivered to the provincial laboratories across the country by the end of February 2021.
The overall objective of the aid from the government of Japan is to provide urgently needed medical supplies and equipment to the hospitals and laboratories in Laos to ensure the functional provision of the life-saving treatment to infected patients.
“With the global outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the need to provide the health staff with essential supplies has become increasingly vital. With this new equipment, the health workers will feel safe and well-equipped to address the impacts of the pandemic,” said Ms Sandrine Capelle-Manuel, UNOPS Multi-country Director based in Cambodia, who could not attend the event due to COVID-19 travel restrictions.

By Times Reporters
(Latest Update December 20, 2020)