4th Steering Committee meeting of the Lao-Luxembourg Health and nutrition programme

On 3 February 2026, Luxembourg and the Lao Ministry of Health held the 4th Steering Committee meeting of the Health and nutrition programme, implemented by LuxDev, the Luxembourg Development Cooperation Agency. The meeting was co-chaired by H.E. Mrs Baykham KHATTIYA, minister of Health, and H.E. Mr Thomas LAMMAR, chargé d’affaires at the Embassy of Luxembourg in the Lao PDR. Attendees included representatives from LuxDev, the WHO, UNICEF, the United Nations Population Fund, the Japan International Cooperation Agency, NGOs, senior officials from the Lao Ministry of Finance, the Lao Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Lao Ministry of Health, as well as directors of the provincial health departments of Vientiane, Bolikhamxay, Khammouane and Bokeo.

The meeting focused on two main objectives: reviewing the accomplishments and outcomes of the Lao-Luxembourg Health and nutrition programme in 2025 and discussing the annual operational plan for 2026. The programme supports health development in four target provinces, addressing infrastructure improvement, implementation of the Joint Participatory Mechanism – an innovative co-financing tool to achieve health indicator targets –, healthcare quality improvement, human resources capacity development, access to nutrition services, and health information systems, all in alignment with the Lao Ministry of Health’s health sector reform framework.

In 2025, international surgeons from the nonprofit organisation Aide au Développement de la Santé continued to provide life-saving interventions for children with heart conditions, while a new partnership with Mongolia was established to further support the training of Lao cardiologists. Additionally, in 2025, the programme budget was increased by over EUR 10 million to include the renovation and partial reconstruction of provincial hospitals in Bokeo, Bolikhamxay and Khammouane, along with further infrastructure development at the Maria Teresa Hospital in Vientiane Province. Looking ahead to 2026, high-quality cold chain equipment produced by B Medical Systems in Luxembourg will be delivered across the country to ensure the safe transport of life-saving vaccines to remote communities.

Following the presentations, participants engaged in open and constructive discussions. The Steering Committee approved the 2025 progress report, the 2026 annual operational plan and the action plan for implementing the mid-term review recommendations, confirming the programme’s direction and providing a clear framework for the next steps.

At the conclusion of the meeting, H.E. Mrs Baykham KHATTIYA and H.E. Mr Thomas LAMMAR commended the programme’s achievements and the decisions adopted, providing guidance to ensure effective planning and implementation, maximise resource use, and advance progress towards shared health goals. 

The co-chairs also expressed sincere appreciation to all partners and stakeholders, emphasising the hope that bilateral cooperation between the Lao PDR and Luxembourg in the health sector will continue to strengthen and deliver meaningful results.

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