United States provides equipment to strengthen vaccination and health system in Lao PDR

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) donated US$260 000 equipment to the Ministry of Health (MOH), continuing the United States’ ongoing support to close COVID-19 and routine vaccination gaps and strengthen the Lao health system’s capacity against future health threats. The USAID-funded equipment, procured by WHO, was distributed to health-care facilities across Lao PDR.

The equipment includes 250 laptops to collect data, expand the nationwide electronic immunization registry and help identify those in the community who are due to receive routine or COVID-19 vaccinations; 1500 kits to ensure safe vaccination and respond to any adverse events following immunization (AEFIs); and 2375 heavy-duty backpacks to safely store and transport vaccines and other equipment during vaccination outreach, often in hard-to-reach areas. Additionally, 100 tablets will be provided to WHO to support government collection of village data, to improve vaccination planning.

The Ministry of Health thanked the United States Government and USAID and WHO, for the latest contribution in support for public health across the country. 

“With USAID and WHO support, during the rollout of COVID-19 vaccines Lao PDR developed its first digital platform to track and store vaccination data to ensure we were reaching priority populations and leaving no one behind. To date, 86% of the eligible population had their COVID-19 vaccine registration recorded digitally.”

This additional assistance means we are able to expand the registry to other vaccines, provide vital information to close coverage gaps and enhance routine childhood immunization, and ensure the health system is better equipped to meet the need of the people of Lao PDR, preparing for future disease outbreaks or the next health crisis.”

Michael Ronning, USAID Country Representative, highlighted the expanding cooperation between the United States and Lao PDR.  

Michael Ronning remarked: “The United States Government is proud to support the Government of Lao PDR with this equipment to strengthen the health system and improve the health outcome of the people of Laos.”

Dr. Ying-Ru Lo, WHO Representative to Lao PDR, commended the Government of Lao PDR for utilizing the pandemic to strengthen its health system. 

“Lao PDR has swiftly adopted innovations to assist with the rollout of COVID-19 vaccines, ensuring everyone, everywhere, is protected. The country can maintain and build on this impressive record, with the help of partners including USAID, and we look forward to supporting this progress.”

“This investment builds on other significant support from USAID to WHO regarding vaccination in Lao PDR, including outreach and community engagement for older adults, people with disabilities, minority groups, and others in-need. We wholeheartedly thank USAID for their generous and life-saving support.”

Since the start of the pandemic, the United States Government, through USAID, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the U.S. Department of Defense, UNICEF and WHO, has worked to support the roll-out of COVID-19 vaccinations nationwide and strengthen Lao PDR's health care capacity in areas including COVID-19 diagnostic and testing; AEFI; infection prevention and control (IPC); vaccine data collection and management; community engagement; Oxygen supply and readiness; case management; and hospital preparedness.