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LAO/035
Health and nutrition programme

Information

Country
Laos
LuxDev's Regional office
Asia Office
Sector
Health
PIC 5
2023 - 2027
Implementation period
January 2023 - December 2027
Total duration
60 months
Total budget
35,802,420 EUR
Contribution breakdown
  • Luxembourg Government
    35,802,420 EUR

Project sheets

The Grand Duchy of Luxembourg has been providing support to the health sector since the cooperation between the Lao PDR and Luxembourg started in 1997.

The LAO/035 Health and nutrition sectoral programme is the continuation of two previous health sector support initiatives named Lao-Luxembourg health sector support programme (LAO/017 and LAO/027).

Health sector interventions under the programme are strongly aligned with the Government of Laos’ priorities in achieving the 9th five-year National Socio-Economic Development Plan 2021-2025, Universal Health Coverage by 2025, graduating from Least Developed Country status in 2026, and reaching the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.

Despite remarkable achievements in improving health outcomes, including life expectancy, key indicators such as infant, under-five and maternal mortality from preventable causes are still high and nutrition indicators at the village level are slow to progress.

The preceding programme’s (LAO/027) specific objective aimed at supporting the implementation of the updated Health Sector Reform Framework 2013-2025, with a specific focus on mother and child health, by fostering and supporting district health systems and actors.

The LAO/035 programme aims to build on the strengths of the previous programme and will predominantly contribute to the long-term change objective that Lao people demand and have access to an essential health service package - including reproductive maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health (RMNCAH) and nutrition services - of adequate quality and affordable to all, leaving no one behind, implying that:

  • Lao people have “access” to those health services;
  • those health services are affordable to all; and
  • those health services provided to Lao people are of good quality.

The duration of the programme is five years, starting from January 2023 until December 2027 and the programme has a total budget of EUR 32,443,388, including EUR 4,500,000 for Aide au Développement de la Santé, a Luxembourg non-governmental organisation working for more than 20 years in Laos in the field of cardiology.

The programme will uphold a geographic focus on all districts in the three provinces of Bolikhamxay, Khammouane and Vientiane, but aims to deepen interventions to improve overall effectiveness and efficiency. Limited expansion to Bokeo province will interface with both the Local development programme (LAO/338) as well as with the United Nation Joint Programme in capacity development and delivery of primary health care via integrated outreach activities in RMNCAH and nutrition.

The primary beneficiaries of the programme are the population of the three supported provinces, estimated at over 1,200,000 people across 28 districts (out of 148 nationally). In 2020, the estimated population of Bokeo province was around 203,000 (2.8% of the total population), of which 59% are from non-Lao-Tai ethnic groups. Considering the in focus on RMNCAH, the full population of Bokeo, but especially women of reproductive age and children under the age of five, will be added as main beneficiaries, bringing the total number to almost 1,400,000 people.

Latest news

  • LAOS - Embedded health care professionals in partner provinces

    Published on 30 December 2024    By Matt EVANS   EN

    The Health and nutrition programme, a collaborative effort between the Governments of Luxembourg and the Lao PDR, is dedicated to enhancing access to quality healthcare services across the Lao PDR. A crucial component of this initiative involves embedding highly skilled health care professionals within provincial health systems. These professionals focus on capacity building, technical assistance, and infrastructure development to improve health care services and patient outcomes.

    Senior nurse trainer advisors

    A team of senior nurse trainer advisors is strategically placed in four provincial hospitals: Bokeo, Vientiane, Bolikhamxay, and Khammouane. These dedicated professionals bring a wealth of experience and diverse skill sets to their roles, working to improve nursing care standards throughout the programme’s partner provinces.

    International nurse trainers play a multifaceted role in continuous medical education at the provincial hospital level. By building sustainable capacities and training clinical educators, they create a long-term impact by ensuring these educators can serve as trainers for health professionals at district hospitals and health centers. Furthermore, senior nurse trainer advisors actively mentor nurses in all clinical areas, conduct essential supervision visits to district hospitals, and actively support the implementation of the national 5 Goods, 1 Satisfaction (5G1S) Quality Improvement framework. This framework, encompassing five key areas – Cleanliness, Reception, Comfort/Convenience, Diagnosis, and Treatment – aims to enhance the overall patient-experience.

    Working in close collaboration with the programme's Quality Healthcare Advisor, the senior nurse trainer advisors receive expert guidance on raising clinical standards within the healthcare system. Beyond the 5G1S framework, the team actively coordinates Infection Prevention and Control initiatives and effectively utilises the Kaizen methodology (Sort, Set-up and Order, Shine, Standardise, Sustain) to optimise processes, enhance efficiency, and minimise waste.

    Senior midwife trainer advisors

    Three senior midwife zrainer advisors are currently working in the Provincial Hospitals of Bolikhamxay, Khammouane, and Vientiane Province, with Bokeo soon to follow. These advisors bring extensive experience in improving Maternal and Child Health outcomes.

    Their responsibilities include long-term mentoring and coaching of nurses and midwives, providing bedside teaching in areas such as antenatal care, vaccinations, the delivery room, and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. They focus on consistently improving and maintaining clinical standards, building upon the work of previous Lao-Luxembourg Health sector support programmes.

    Impact and outcomes

    The embedded teams of senior nurse trainer advisors and senior midwife trainer advisors are having a significant impact on the quality of healthcare in partner provinces. Through their mentorship, training, and direct support of healthcare professionals, they are strengthening local capacity and promoting sustainable improvements in clinical practice. This includes enhancing infection prevention and control measures, improving patient care pathways, and implementing evidence-based best practices in maternal and child health. These efforts contribute to better patient outcomes, increased staff competency, and a more robust and resilient healthcare system overall. The focus on cascading knowledge and training to district level facilities ensures a wider impact on the quality of healthcare services across the provinces, including at the district level.

    The combined skills, energy, and unwavering enthusiasm of both the senior nurse trainer advisors and senior midwife trainer advisors are invaluable assets to the Health and nutrition programme. Their dedication to excellence is driving significant improvements in healthcare standards across the target provinces, ultimately benefiting the Lao people.

    The Health and nutrition programme is financed by the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and the Lao PDR and jointly implemented by the Ministry of Health and LuxDev, the Luxembourg Development Cooperation Agency.

  • LAOS - Successful conclusion of the four Provincial Coordination Committee Meetings for the 5th Indicative Cooperation Programme

    Published on 23 December 2024    By Nicolas TASCH   EN

    We are pleased to announce the successful completion of the four Provincial Coordination Committee (PCC) Meetings for the 5th Lao-Luxembourg Indicative Cooperation Programme 2023-2027 (ICP V) for this year. The PCC meetings have taken place across several provinces, starting with Bokeo in May. Subsequent meetings were held in Vientiane Province in October and Bolikhamxay province in November. This final meeting, held in Khammouane province this December, marks the culmination of a productive year of activities across our partner provinces in Lao PDR.

    About the PCC Meetings

    The provincial coordination committee meetings proved particularly valuable for provincial authorities. Participants had the opportunity to gain in-depth insights into the four multisectoral programmes at provincial level (progress, working plans, budgets) and actively engage in valuable exchanges with officials from other provinces, fostering collaboration and knowledge-sharing.

    Strengthening coordination and alignment

    These PCC Meetings play a crucial role in:

    • strengthening coordination across the four ICP V programmes;
    • and ensuring alignment with district and provincial five-year socio-economic development plans.

    Participants from local authorities gained a clearer understanding of the interconnectedness of the four ICP V programmes:

    • health and nutrition;
    • skills for tourism, agriculture and forestry;
    • rule of law, access to justice and good governance;
    • local development.

    This improved understanding highlights how these programmes collectively address the socio-economic needs of Lao PDR, especially in our four partner provinces.

    Valuable feedback and enhanced collaboration

    The meetings also provide a vital platform for LuxDev to:

    • receive valuable feedback on programme implementation;
    • strengthen collaboration;
    • and promote cross-sector implementation;

    This feedback mechanism is essential for ensuring the effectiveness and responsiveness of the programmes to local needs.

    Key objectives and outcomes

    The 4th PCC Meetings achieved several key objectives, including:

    • providing a comprehensive overview of the ICP V programmes and their impact;
    • facilitating knowledge sharing and collaboration among provincial authorities;
    • gathering crucial feedback for LuxDev to improve programme implementation;
    • developing practical recommendations to be presented to the annual Project Steering Committees.

    This successful conclusion of the 4th meeting wraps up a year of significant progress and reinforces the commitment of all stakeholders to the continued success of the ICP V programmes in Lao PDR. We look forward to continuing this important work in the coming year.

  • LAOS - Luxembourg Cooperation supports Lao Red Cross with high-tech blood cold chain equipment

    Published on 16 September 2024    By Nicolas TASCH   EN

    Luxembourg has handed over state-of-the-art blood cold chain equipment to the Lao Red Cross, valued at approximately 2 million Euros. This significant contribution aims to strengthen the Lao PDR’s blood transfusion services and ensure a reliable and safe supply of blood products across Laos.

    The handover ceremony took place in Vientiane Capital and was attended by key dignitaries, including H.E. Mr Khamlavanh Chanthalavanh, President of the Lao Red Cross, H.E. Dr. Phaivanh Keopaseuth, Vice-Minister of Health, Mr. Thomas Lammar, Chargé d'affaires of the Luxembourg Embassy in Laos, Dr Chanthala Souksakhone, Director of the National Blood Transfusion Institute, Mr. Robert de Waha, Resident Representative of LuxDev Asia office, as well as representatives from the Lao Government and LuxDev, the Luxembourg Development Cooperation Agency.

    The high-tech blood cold chain equipment, provided through the Health and Nutrition Programme, implemented by the Ministry of Health and LuxDev, will be distributed at central, provincial and district levels. This investment will play a crucial role in maintaining the integrity of the blood cold chain across the country, while responding the ambitious goals in terms of increased blood donations across the country. It will ensure that blood products are stored and transported safely from donation centers to hospitals and health facilities to help and rescue emergency cases timely and effectively nation-wide.

    The equipment includes a range of 243 essential components, such as freezers, storage units, digital control devices, and mobile cold chain units for outreach campaigns and safe transportation of blood products at district and village levels. Furthermore, the contract includes an extended warranty period and preventive maintenance and training to ensure the effective utilisation and maintenance of the equipment.

    H.E. Mr Khamlavanh Chanthalavanh, the President of the Lao Red Cross, emphasised the importance of this donation: "The Lao Red Cross is grateful for the generous support from Luxembourg Aid & Development. This equipment will enable us to increase our blood products storage by 50% and ensure a reliable supply of blood products to those in need nationwide."

    Mr. Thomas Lammar, Chargé d'affaires of the Luxembourg Embassy, expressed his satisfaction with this partnership: "Luxembourg is proud to continue its longstanding support for Laos in enhancing healthcare services. Building upon our successful collaboration over two decades ago, we are pleased to once again provide high-quality blood cold chain equipment from Luxembourg. This investment reaffirms our commitment to delivering high quality, durable and reliable solutions tailored to the specific needs of our partners."

    The handover of this high-tech blood cold chain equipment marks a significant milestone in the collaboration between Luxembourg and Laos in the health sector. It demonstrates Luxembourg's dedication to supporting sustainable development and improving the lives and health of people in Laos.

    The Health and Nutrition Programme is financed by the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, and implemented by the Lao Ministry of Health and LuxDev, the Luxembourg Development Cooperation Agency.