VN, Laos to set up system to coordinate in fighting COVID-19

Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Health Nguyen Thanh Long and Lao Minister of Health Bounkong Syhavong co-chairs a teleconference on COVID-19 prevention and control, April 7, 2020.

The agrement was reached during a teleconference co-chaired by Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Health Nguyen Thanh Long and Lao Minister of Health Bounkong Syhavong on April 7.

They agreed to propose Viettel Military Industry and Telecoms Group (Viettel) to support a connection line for Laos, especially between hospitals of the two countries so that they can share experience and methods in treating COVID-19 infection cases.

The Vietnamese Ministry of Health committed to providing more medical equipment such as diagnostic tools, face masks, and protective gowns for the Lao side, said Long. 

For his side, Bounkong Syhavong expressed thanks and spoke highly of the assistance of the Vietnamese Government and people for Laos in fighting against COVID-19. 

Earlier on April 4, Vietnamese Ambassador to Laos Nguyen Ba Hung handed over medical supplies worth over VND7 billion (more than US$300,000)  to Lao Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Somdy Duangdy to help Laos cope with the COVID-19 pandemic at a ceremony in Vientiane.

The medical supplies include protective gowns, medical and anti-septic masks, test kits and a Realtime PCR testing system.

On April 3 night, Viet Nam Airlines transported the medical supplies weighing about 4.8 tons to Wattay international airport in Vientiane.

By Thuy Dung