February 27, 2020
The government of Japan has given personal protective supplies to the Ministry of Health to help medical staff if they are required to care for people infected with the coronavirus.
The items were handed over at the Ministry of Health on Tuesday by the Ambassador of Japan to Laos, Mr Takewaka Keizo, to Minister of Health Assoc. Prof. Dr Bounkong Syhavong.
The supplies comprised 4,680 isolation gowns, 6,100 gloves, 6,000 N95 masks, 13,200 surgical masks, 27 goggles, and 240 bottles of alcohol hand rub.
Assoc. Prof. Dr Bounkong thanked the government of Japan for its assistance, saying “On behalf of Laos, we would like to express our appreciation to the government of Japan for its continuing support to our country.”
The ministry has been strengthening the capacity of hospitals and health facilities in readiness for the potential spread of the Covid-19 virus into Laos.
The donated supplies will be distributed to hospitals and health facilities across the country, to protect medical staff from infection.
Assoc. Prof. Dr Bounkong said “Health workers are at higher risk of exposure to any type of disease and can easily be infected if they do not have proper protective equipment. We should make sure that all staff are safe while treating patients in their care.”
Although Laos has no confirmed cases of the coronavirus so far, the Ministry of Health recognises that it is essential that all health facilities and medical staff are prepared and ready to respond if the disease spreads to Laos.