Login Register

Logo of Phnom Penh Post newspaper Phnom Penh Post - Laos aims to eliminate six diseases in the country within 14-year period

Laos aims to eliminate six diseases in the country within 14-year period

| Publication date 12 April 2022 | 20:40 ICT

Content image - Phnom Penh Post
Vietnamese doctors provide assistance in a Lao hospital. Laotian Times/ANN

Laos aims to eliminate six diseases in the country within 14-year period

Health officials in Laos have announced a plan to eliminate six diseases in the country within the next 14 years, reports Laotian Times.

The plan was announced at a recent high-level meeting for the health sector held in Vientiane Province chaired by Minister of Health, Dr Bounfeng Phoummalaysith, also according to Vientiane Times.

While malaria is still present in Laos, the country was able to slash cases by 92 per cent between 2000 and 2010, with the last major outbreak occurring in 2014, when 50,000 cases were recorded.

The country has seen better progress in recent years, with an all-time low of 3,505 cases recorded in 2020. Officials hope that all types of malaria can be eradicated across every province in Laos by 2025.

Meanwhile, officials believe the debilitating, mosquito-borne elephantiasis should also be eliminated by the end of this year.

It also is hoped that sexually transmitted diseases including HIV/AIDS can be wiped out across the nation by 2030.

The government hopes to eliminate tuberculosis (TB) by the end of 2030.

Laos retains a high TB disease burden with an incidence rate of 11,000 cases annually and a mortality rate of 34 per 100,000, according to a World Health Organisation report.

THE STAR (MALAYSIA)/ASIA NEWS NETWORK

Contact author: Asia News Network

MOST VIEWED

  • Ministry orders all schools, public and private, to close for SEA Games

    From April 20 to May 18, all public and private educational institutions will be closed to maintain order and support Cambodia's hosting of the 32nd SEA Games and 12th ASEAN Para Games, said a directive from the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport. Cambodia will host the

  • Newest horror film showcases unique Khmer culture, identity

    At first glance, the trailer to new horror sensation The Ritual: Black Nun looks like a western-produced feature film. As the story reveals itself to the viewers, it becomes clearer that this is a Khmer film, with a strong Cambodian identity and close links to

  • Almost 9K tourists see equinox sunrise at Angkor Wat

    Nearly 9,000 visitors – including 2,226 international tourists – gathered at Angkor Wat on March 21 to view the spring equinox sunrise, according to a senior official of the Siem Reap provinical tourism department. Ngov Seng Kak, director of the department, said a total of 8,726 people visited Angkor Wat to

  • Angkor Beer strengthens national pride with golden new look and fresher taste

    Angkor Beer – the "Gold of Angkor" – has a new look, one that is more stylish and carries a premium appeal, as well as a fresher taste and smoother flavour, making it the perfect choice for any gathering. Angkor Beer recently launched its new design, one

  • Water supply authority assures public shortages over early ‘24

    The Phnom Penh Water Supply Authority (PPWSA) asked for understanding from Phnom Penh residents in some communes where water pressure is weak. They assured residents that all supply issues will be resolved by early 2024, but have suggested that residents use water sparingly in the meantime.

  • Khmer ballet documentary debuts April 1

    A new documentary, The Perfect Motion, or Tep Hattha in Khmer, will premiere to the public on April 1. The documentary film follows two intertwined storylines: the creation of a show called Metamorphosis by the late Princess Norodom Buppha Devi (her very last production) and the

Related articles