Today in Vientiane, the Minister of Health and Minister of Home Affairs briefed all Provincial and District Governors – as well as officials and development partners – on progress made and expansion plans for CONNECT, the Ministries’ flagship community engagement and local governance strengthening initiative.
Created during the COVID-19 pandemic, CONNECT is a Ministry of Health and Ministry of Home Affairs-led initiative, supported by WHO, focusing on building trust between healthcare providers and communities, working closely with local leaders to strengthen governance, planning and coordination, and increasing access to essential healthcare such as vaccination and maternal care.
Following successful deployment to more than 175 villages across 24 districts in Vientiane Capital, Bokeo, Houaphanh, Xieng Khouang, Xaysomboun, Vientiane, Bolikhamxay, Khammouane, Champasack Provinces, the Ministries are planning to expand CONNECT nationwide, focusing on locations with the lowest rates of vaccination and childbirth with skilled birth attendants.
At the meeting, chaired by HE Dr Bounfeng Phoummalaysith, Minister for Health, and HE Dr Thongchanh Manixay, Minister for Home Affairs, partners - including JUNG Yung Soo, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea, representatives from the European Union, USAID and Luxembourg and other development partners - discussed the achievements made so far, particularly around vaccination, maternal health and reaching unreached groups.
“We have seen incredible results in the provinces and districts, both in quality and quantity,” said Dr Bounfeng Phoummalaysith.
Recently, in Xieng Khouang Province ahead of the National Games, using the CONNECT approach supported more than 39 000 people to receive a COVID-19 vaccine or booster, and significant improvements in reaching vulnerable populations.
“The significant achievements in COVID-19 vaccination and other services and ownership of local governance and leadership have proved that local authorities play an important role. With that, I would like to emphasize that those achievements are a result of contribution from all parts of society,” Dr Bounfeng continued.
Via CONNECT, hundreds of doctors, nurses, midwives, community health volunteers, local leaders and officials from mass organizations have been supported to better collaborate, and deliver better health services and outcomes for those they serve.
“Empowering local governance and community engagement in responding to COVID-19 and other seasonal diseases have been our key priorities,” said Dr Thongchanh Minixay. “We must sustain our efforts in order to ensure our services meet the needs of our people.”
"The Korean Government and KOFIH are diligently working to help strengthen the capacity of the Lao PDR particularly in the health sector,” said Ambassador JUNG, “Korea will continue to step up its efforts to contribute to the development in the sector."
“CONNECT has really improved engagement between the village authorities and health centre,” said Mailorzong, a community leader in Bolikhamxay Province. “The Lao Women’s Union, village health volunteers and village chief work closely together to assist pregnant women in receiving services at the health centre, children getting vaccinated, birth registration and to make sure everyone has the right documents to access health insurance.”
“Trust and collaboration are key to improving not only governance, but also health services and many other areas,” said Dr Ying-Ru Lo. “For now, the main focuses are birth registration, immunization and ensuring safe deliveries at health facilities for mothers, but we know this approach has many other opportunities, and ensures we better utilize existing resources within communities.”
Following the national expansion, the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Home Affairs also plan to integrate CONNECT into preservice education in the University of Health Sciences, National University of Laos and the Lao Tropical and Public Health Institute to ensure sustained efforts towards multisectoral collaborations in advancing health equity in Lao PDR.
CONNECT has been supported by the World Health Organization, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the European Union (EU), Luxembourg, the Korea Foundation for International Healthcare (KOFIH) and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC).
