Vietnamese doctors sent to Laos to assist in COVID-19 fight

VOV.VN - A total of 35 Vietnamese doctors and caregivers are poised to depart to Laos in order to provide assistance to the neighbouring country in their ongoing fight against the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), according to Minister of Health Nguyen Thanh Long during a recent meeting held in Hanoi.

According to Deputy Minister of Health Nguyen Truong Son, who is set to accompany the experts, the purpose of the group’s departure is to support their Laotian colleagues in testing, treatment, and the building of hospitals dedicated to treating COVID-19 patients. This will be done alongside training medical workers in Laos on how to use Vietnamese-funded medical equipment.

During the course of the meeting, Nguyen Minh Chau, deputy head of the Ministry’s international co-operation department, said that experts from nine medical facilities nationwide are due to arrive in Laos for between 15 and 17 days. Indeed, this period could either be shortened or prolonged depending on the ongoing situation in Laos, with expenses for the working trip being sourced from the State budget.

Furthermore, the Vietnamese delegation will be tested for COVID-19 at the airport, therefore allowing them to immediately begin their mission without the need to quarantine.

The group will also offer guidance and directly join their Laotian peers in COVID-19 prevention and control efforts on the ground. It is anticipated that the guidance offered by Vietnamese doctors will be able to cover all prevention work, including contact tracing, quarantine, lockdown, and social distancing, Chau noted.

He also underscored the need for Laos to receive assistance in treatment work, including the building of hospitals specifically aimed at treating COVID-19 patients.

Moreover, Vietnamese experts will also assist in treating severe patients and guiding Laotian doctors and nurses on various treatment methods, Minister Long added.

The neighbouring nation has also asked for Vietnamese assistance in establishing its testing system for large-scale implementation, Minister Long said, suggesting that local experts can share their experiences in sample collection, along with waste and environment management in quarantine sites.

Mời quý độc giả theo dõi VOV.VN trên