Over 30 Vietnamese experts ready for COVID-19 support mission in Laos

Hanoi (VNA) – A group of 35 Vietnamese doctors and caregivers is expected to leave Vietnam on May 4 for Laos aboard a Vietnam Airlines flight to assist the nation’s fight against COVID-19, heard a meeting between them and Minister of Health Nguyen Thanh Long in Hanoi on May 3.

According to Deputy Minister of Health Nguyen Truong Son, who will accompany the experts, the group’s mission is to support in testing, treatment, building of treatment hospitals, and training for use of Vietnamese-funded medical equipment.

At the meeting, Nguyen Minh Chau, deputy head of the ministry’s international cooperation department, said the experts from nine medical facilities nationwide are scheduled to be in Laos between 15 and 17 days, which could be shortened or prolonged based on real-life situations. Expenses of their working trip are sourced from the State budget.

Per information from the Lao side, the Vietnamese delegation will be tested for COVID-19 at the airport, and they then will begin their mission immediately without quarantine.

Minister Long said the group will give guidance and directly join their Lao peers in COVID-19 prevention and control there. The guidance ought to cover all prevention work like contact tracing, quarantine, lockdown, and social distancing, he noted.

He underscored Laos needs to be assisted most in treatment work, including the building of hospitals for treating COVID-19 patients.

Long said the Vietnamese experts will help treating severe patients and guiding Lao doctors and nurses on treatment methods.  

Laos also demands Vietnam’s assistance in the establishment of its testing system for a large-scale implementation, the minister said, recommending the experts share their experiences in sample collection as well as waste and environment management in quarantine sites.

He told the group to ask for increasing connection with Vietnam’s treatment system when they reach Laos’ remote areas. The ministry has asked the Viettel Military Industry and Telecoms Group to support internet connection between Vietnam and Laos./.