Vietnam and Laos cooperate to promote digital transformation and telemedicine.

Accordingly, during the meeting with the Lao Minister of Health , Bounfeng Phoummalaysith, who was visiting and working in Vietnam (on the afternoon of July 21), Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh welcomed the Minister and the delegation from the Ministry of Health to Vietnam, expressing confidence that the visit would yield many positive and substantive results, contributing to further strengthening the relationship between the health sectors of the two countries, thereby preserving, nurturing, and promoting the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos.

Vietnam and Laos cooperate to strengthen the digital transformation of healthcare (Figure 1). — Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh received Lao Minister of Health Bounfeng Phoummalaysith, who is on a working visit to Vietnam.

During the meeting, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and the Lao Minister of Health expressed their pleasure at the continued positive development of relations between the two countries in all areas. In the health sector, notable cooperation includes medical examination and treatment, training of medical personnel, disease control, and support for strengthening the management of the health system. During the COVID-19 pandemic, support in the form of vaccines, medical supplies and equipment, experience sharing, and expert assistance contributed to helping both countries gradually control and overcome the pandemic.

In the coming period, the Prime Minister requested the two Ministries of Health to coordinate in developing a plan to concretize and effectively implement the high-level agreements between the two countries; continue to exchange experiences, especially in promoting digital transformation and telemedicine; support and facilitate medical examination and treatment for Lao people at Vietnamese hospitals; strengthen human resource training in the health sector by diversifying training subjects and expanding training fields to suit the current needs of Laos, especially for the Vietnam-Laos Friendship Hospital projects in Houaphanh, Xiangkhouang, etc.; and study the amendment of the Agreement on Border Health Quarantine to suit the current situation in the direction of more streamlined and convenient procedures.

Recently, the People's Committee of Nghe An province and the government of Xiangkhouang province held a handover ceremony to put into operation the Xiangkhouang Friendship Hospital with a capacity of 200 beds; the Prime Minister requested the two Ministries of Health to coordinate, guide, and support in terms of expertise to ensure high and sustainable efficiency of use.

The Prime Minister also suggested that the two sides continue to coordinate and support each other in regional and international forums in the field of health.

Vietnam and Laos cooperate to strengthen the transition to telemedicine (Figure 2). — On this occasion, through the Lao Minister of Health Bounfeng Phoummalaysith, the Prime Minister conveyed his greetings and best wishes to the Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone.

Lao Minister of Health Bounfeng Phoummalaysith reported on the results of his meeting with the Vietnamese Minister of Health during the visit, expressing gratitude to Vietnam for its active cooperation and support to the Lao health sector, especially in human resource training and facilitating access to medical care for Lao citizens in Vietnam. The Minister also thanked Vietnam for its support and assistance to Laos in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Minister informed about Laos' efforts and solutions in innovating healthcare activities, expressing a desire to further strengthen cooperation with Vietnam and welcome Vietnamese investors in this field, especially in human resource training, traditional medicine, and completing the construction project of the Vietnam-Laos Friendship Hospital in Houaphanh province…

The Minister stated that he would coordinate with the Vietnamese Ministry of Health to implement specific cooperation programs, projects, and activities as suggested by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, contributing to further promoting the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos.

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