The new Laos-Vietnam Friendship Hospital in Xieng Khuang province. - VT
VIENTIANE (Vientiane Times/Asia News Network): The newly built Laos-Vietnam Friendship Hospital was officially opened in Xieng Khuang province on Wednesday (May 17).
The hospital is located on a 2.5-hectare site and was built at a cost of nearly 500 billion Vietnam dong (US$21.32 million) using non-refundable aid from the Vietnamese government.
The hospital has an outpatient department containing about 200 beds with modern equipment and aims to meet the healthcare needs of people living in Xieng Khuang and other areas in the northeast of Laos.
Lao staff will learn the necessary professional skills from Vietnamese experts so they can run the hospital efficiently.
Deputy Minister of Health Snong Thongsna said the hospital is expected to make a significant contribution to the development of health care in Laos as it is the largest of its kind in the region and its personnel will be trained with the support of Vietnam.
The Deputy Governor of Xieng Khuang province, Sivilay Sengchaleun, said the Laos-Vietnam Friendship Hospital will be of great benefit to local people.
Standing Vice Chairman of the Laos-Vietnam Cooperation Committee, Viengsavanh Vilayphone, expressed deep gratitude to the Party, state and people of Vietnam for their support, saying that the hospital symbolises the longstanding solidarity and mutual support that exists between the two countries.
Vietnam’s Ministry of Planning and Investment said construction of the hospital will strengthen the traditional friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation Laos and Vietnam.
It reflects the deep concern of the Party, government and people of Vietnam for improving the quality of healthcare for the Lao people, and the determination of the two governments to fulfil the Vietnam-Laos cooperation strategy agreed to in relation to Xieng Khuang and Huaphan provinces.
The ministry asked the People’s Committee of Nghe An province, which borders Laos, as well as other relevant agencies to continue to coordinate closely with authorities in Laos and Xieng Khuang province in particular to ensure the smooth operation and maintenance of the hospital, and to continue personnel training within the scope of the project framework.
