Fostering Vietnam - Laos friendship from the medical field

Vietnam continues to support Laos in training, technology transfer, and medical examination and treatment support, aiming to improve the professional qualifications of medical and pharmaceutical staff, to best serve the health of Lao people and Vietnamese people in Laos.

Vietnamese medical staff in Laos

Overcoming the difficulties of its early days, Hanoi - Vientiane Hospital has now become a prestigious medical facility in Laos with many major specialties such as gastroenterology, cardiology, surgery, maxillofacial surgery, otolaryngology, orthopedics, etc. The hospital has a team of more than 100 doctors, nurses, technicians (of which 60% are Vietnamese), examining and treating more than 100 patients every day with advanced medical equipment and techniques applied. In addition, Hanoi - Vientiane General Hospital also receives professional support from Professors, Associate Professors, Doctors, and leading experts in medicine from Hanoi Medical University Hospital.

Lao people are waiting to see a doctor at Hanoi-Vientiane Hospital (Laos). Photo: Vu Quy

"Coming here for medical examination and treatment, I was guided, taken care of wholeheartedly, and had modern facilities," patient Thip Singphaengkham shared. In May 2023, Nghe An province coordinated with Xieng Khouang province, Lao PDR to put into use the Laos - Vietnam Friendship Hospital in Xieng Khouang province, sponsored by the Vietnamese Government. The Laos - Vietnam Friendship Hospital in Xieng Khouang province has a scale of 200 beds, with spacious facilities, modern medical technology and equipment; gradually forming and developing specialized departments, good experts, and a national standardized medical network; Contributing to improving the quality of medical examination and treatment for the people of Xieng Khouang province in general and the people of the northeastern provinces of Laos in particular. In addition, Vietnam also sponsored Laos to build a Friendship Hospital in Huaphan province. The 9-storey building has been completed, and support items are currently being constructed. The hospital is expected to be completed in 2024. Recently, there is another La Vie International General Hospital built by Lao people of Vietnamese origin to serve both Vietnamese and Lao patients living in the capital Vientiane. The hospital is preparing to go into operation and is receiving support from Hanoi Medical University Hospital and the Association for Liaison with Overseas Vietnamese (ALOV). Transferring many new techniques to the Lao health sector, Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Lan Hieu, Director of Hanoi Medical University Hospital, said that in the coming time, the hospital will continue to support La Vie Hospital remotely in serious and complicated cases. In addition, the hospital will send experts to transfer technology, train human resources for Laos in Vietnam, cooperate in the field of scientific research and apply new technologies... "There will be a cardiovascular intervention project at La Vie Hospital in the near future. Acute myocardial infarction cases will be intervened early, children with congenital heart disease will not need to travel abroad for treatment...", Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Lan Hieu shared.

La Vie International General Hospital, Hanoi Medical University Hospital, and the Association for Liaison with Overseas Vietnamese (ALOV) signed a cooperation agreement. Photo: Vu Quy

Ambassador Nguyen Phu Binh, Chairman of the Association for Liaison with Overseas Vietnamese (ALOV), said that the Association will be a bridge for the Vietnamese community to know a reliable address for health care for themselves and their families. This will be an extended arm of the Association to connect with compatriots far from the homeland. Furthermore, the Association will call for investors to come and expand the hospital's professional activities. “The Association coordinates with the two hospitals to implement the Party's guidelines and policies, the State's laws and regulations related to overseas Vietnamese. The parties create favorable conditions to help take care of health, improve the lives of the Vietnamese community in Laos, and coordinate to implement specific cases for the Vietnamese community in Laos in need of health care. The parties promote propaganda, meetings, exchanges, dissemination, and introductions about La Vie International General Hospital, about the functions of supporting the provision of medical services for the Vietnamese community living, working and studying in Laos. Hanoi Medical University Hospital supports La Vie International General Hospital in its professional work as effectively as possible,” Ambassador Nguyen Phu Binh shared. With the above achievements, many experts believe that this is the motivation for Vietnamese doctors in Laos to improve their spirit of serving patients better. Curing people's illnesses is also a way to contribute a small part to fostering solidarity and the long-term friendship between the Vietnamese and Lao peoples.