Participants at the seminar touched upon issues such as heart-related diseases, emergencies, surgery, infectious diseases, autism and newborn screening.

Speaking at the event, Lao Minister of Health, Ponmek Dalaloy, praised presentations by medical experts, saying this is a good opportunity for Lao doctors and nurses to improve their professional skills and provide better healthcare services for children in Laos which has a high rate of infant mortality.

He thanked the Vietnamese Government and people for their assistance to the Lao Ministry of Health over the past years.

On behalf of the Vietnamese delegation, Deputy Minister of Health Nguyen Thi Kim Tien emphasised that the seminar created a venue for Vietnamese medical workers and their Lao colleagues to share experiences and improve skills. Ms Tien also pledged to do her best to provide more assistance to the Lao healthcare sector.

The Vietnamese Ministry of Health and the Central Pediatrics Hospital donated medical equipment and facilities to the Lao Hospital for Mothers and Children.