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Korea provides medical equipment for response to Covid-19

The government of the Republic of Korea has provided walk-through virus test booths and a range of essential medical equipment worth US$1 million to support the government’s response to the Covid-19 outbreak.
The donated items were handed over at the Ministry of Health on June 8 in presence of the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Laos, Mr Im Moohong, and Minister of Health, Dr Bounfeng Phommalaysith.

According to the KOICA Office in Laos, the donation is part of the Agenda for Building Resilience against Covid-19 through the development cooperation  programme under Korean Official Development Assistance: building trust to provide health and medical support, and to strengthen the capacity to prevent infectious diseases in partner countries.
Accordingly, Laos’ minister of health requested walk-through booths for virus tests and hemodialysis machines with the approval of the National Taskforce for Covid-19 Prevention and Control in May 2020.
The supplies include 30 walk-through booths, 10 hemodialysis machines with Nipro water supply, 2 Fresenius hemodialysis machines, 6 biochemistry analysers, 11 fully-equipped hospital beds, and 18 patient monitors. The 30 walk-through booths have been set up at 17 provincial hospitals and immigration checkpoints.
The KOICA Office in Laos has been working in close partnership with the government and citizens of Laos since 2020.
To date, KOICA has contributed US$1.2 million to help Laos prevent and control the spread of Covid-19 by providing personal protective equipment, hygiene supplies and education, and essential medical equipment.
KOICA is also committed to providing support for vulnerable groups, returning workers and people affected by floods so they can resume life as normal after the pandemic.
Minister of Health Dr Bounfeng Phommalaysith expressed his gratitude to the Republic of Korea for its willingness to help Laos respond to the virus outbreak.
“The 30 walk-through booths set up at immigration checkpoints are seen as timely assistance in response to the virus outbreak, as the government is allowing returning workers, businesspeople and officials from foreign embassies and international organisations to enter Laos.”
“Hemodialysis machines installed in central and some provincial hospitals are also playing a crucial role in the treatment of people with Covid-19 who are required to quarantine,” he added.
Also speaking at the handover ceremony, the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Laos, Mr Im Moohong, said “It is strongly believed that this essential medical equipment will help strengthen the capacity of the Ministry of Health and central and provincial hospitals to respond to the virus outbreak through the testing of samples and the management of complex cases.”
“Ensuring the safety of frontline medical staff in collecting samples is as important as the early detection of Covid-19 cases. Walk-through booths will help to reduce virus test times as well as ensuring safety.” 
The ambassador also said he hoped Laos and Korea could strengthen their bonds of friendship while overcoming the current unusual situation, saying that the government of the Republic of Korea and the public and private sectors in Laos will support the fight against Covid-19.

 

By Times Reporters
(Latest Update
June 10,
2021)


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