One Covid-19 Patient Recovers, No New Cases Reported / 14.4.2020
A patient who contracted Covid-19 and has been undergoing treatment in hospital has tested negative for the first time, and no new infections have been reported
Read moreA patient who contracted Covid-19 and has been undergoing treatment in hospital has tested negative for the first time, and no new infections have been reported
Read moreBusinesses engaged in foreign trade have asked the government to allow imports and exports via local and traditional border checkpoints
Read moreAnother person in Vientiane has tested positive for Covid-19 after sharing a room with a friend who had contracted the virus, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 19.
Read moreAs all J&C teams have switched to “home office”, we assure you that J&C Group continues to support you, your family, and/or your company.
Read moreTaskforce urges members of the public to avoid parties during the Lao New Year break
Read moreEconomic growth in Laos has slowed as production and consumer spending drop amid fears of a spread of the coronavirus, with growth expected to shrink by about 50 percent
Read moreA total of 82 people who were displaying Covid-19 symptoms and had close contact with patients all tested negative for the coronavirus yesterday, meaning that there are no new cases
Read moreAuthorities in Xaysettha district, Vientiane, have revoked a notice they had issued following complaints from local residents about the plan to charge a fee for the provision of a temporary certificate of village membership.
Read moreThe United Nations in Laos has called for an end to discrimination against people who are affected by COVID-19 as such actions violate human rights.
Read moreNearly 90 people were killed in road accidents across the country during March
Read moreA Lao student in Vientiane was confirmed as the nation’s sixteenth COVID-19 case on Thursday following eating and drinking with a friend last month who was later found to be infected.
Read moreThe pouring of purified perfumed water to ceremonially shower Buddha images in temples by members of the public would typically occur across the country during next week’s Lao New Year period.
Read moreA 20-year-old Lao female student who returned home from England has been confirmed as infected with COVID-19, taking the total number of cases to 15 nationally
Read moreThe National Taskforce Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control has eased the conditions for free Covid-19 tests in order to reduce the threat posed by the Coronavirus to Laos.
Read moreTwo more Covid-19 cases have been confirmed in Laos with the total number rising to 14, after additional tests returned positive
Read moreThe Lao authorities have asked that those who have traveled on flight TG574 Bangkok-Vientiane on the 23/03/2020 to come in and get tested.
Read moreA 20-year-old woman from Vientiane has been infected by the Coronavirus, taking the total number of infections in Laos to 12
Read moreA foreign national working in Laos has tested positive for Covid-19, taking the total number of cases in the country to 11.
Read moreLaos has strictly implemented measures by following the guidelines of the World Health Organization (WHO) on prevention of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Read moreAir quality tests in Vientiane are returning safer readings as recorded levels of particulate matter (PM) 2.5 pollution begin to reduce toward acceptable standards in the capital
Read moreShut down of private hospital and clinics nationwide to ensure public has maximum possible equity in access to free and high standard quality COVID-19 testing and treatment facilities
Read moreThe National Taskforce Committee for Covid-19 Prevention and Control on Friday reported there had been no more reported cases of Covid-19 for two days, with the total number of confirmed cases remaining stable at 10.
Read moreThere are sufficient imported sources of consumer goods to maintain food security Lao authorities have said.
Read moreA female Vientiane resident, 21, was confirmed today as being infected with coronavirus, bringing the total infections to 10 people.
Read moreThe Ministry of Post and Telecommunications in cooperation with a Lao ICT company recently launched an official website www.covid19.gov.la
Read moreShuttle flights will be allowed for countries to pick up their citizens from Laos
Read moreVientiane State Bus Enterprise (VSBE) suspended its services on every route in Vientiane and to other provinces yesterday following the cancellation of international routes on March 23.
Read moreA team of Chinese medical experts, along with medical materials, arrived in Lao capital Vientiane by a chartered plane Sunday morning to assist Laos to fight the COVID-19 pandemic.
Read moreThe government yesterday announced to close all international checkpoints and prohibit public movement for non-essential activities for almost three weeks to control the coronavirus pandemic as fears of outbreak escalate.
Read moreAs of 01:20 GMT March 27 there was 5,010 active cases of COVID-19 throughout the 10 Asean member countries, an increase of 508 on the day prior.
Read moreForeigners who cannot leave Laos at this time, because all borders are closed to prevent the spread of Covid-19, can request extensions on their stay.
Read moreAuthorities confirmed yesterday that three more people were infected with coronavirus (Covid-19) bringing total infections to six.
Read moreLaos has confirmed another Covid-19 case, bringing the total number of dangerous infections nationwide to three.
Read moreThailand has effectively closed its doors for non-resident foreigners wanting to enter the country under the state of emergency that comes into force on Thursday (March 26).
Read moreA 36-year-old female tour guide from Vientiane Capital and a 28-year-old male hotel employee from Vientiane Capital have tested positive for Covid-19.
Read moreThe public, including foreign nationals in the country, suspected by medical personnel of carrying COVID-19 will be tested free of charge
Read moreThe good news is that J&C has got you covered. All health insurance plans offered by J&C Insurance are covering COVID-19 !!!
Read moreThe Lao government has adopted in principle an economic stimulus package to minimise the impact caused by the ongoing outbreak of the coronavirus (COVID-19)
Read moreMedical officials are greatly concerned about the new coronavirus (Covid-19) spreading to other Thai provinces.
Read moreShopping malls and markets in Bangkok have been ordered to close from Sunday 22 March.
Read moreThe border crossing between Nongkhai and Vientiane will be closed to all personal and vehicle traffic at 10pm, March 22
Read moreAs the world reels from the outbreak of COVID-19 Asean nations are scrambling to provide testing for millions of concerned citizens and their families.
Read moreThe Thai government will extend the requirement of medical certificates and health insurance from Sunday to cover all visitors to the country regardless of nationalities to curb the spread of the coronavirus.
Read moreThe government on Thursday briefed diplomats and representatives of international organisations about the current situation in Laos, along with existing and proposed measures, by authorities to prevent the outbreak of COVID-19 in the country.
Read moreAuthorities have confirmed that the Lao Bao-Dansavan International Checkpoint between Vietnam and Laos in Savannakhet province is open dismissing false reports of its closure on March 19 as fake news.
Read moreA shipment of COVID-19 testing kits provided by the Chinese government arrived on Wednesday.
Read moreThe government has suspended the issuance of visas for foreign tourists for 30 days and suspended all levels of education in the latest move to prevent coronavirus (Covid-19)
Read moreHealth officials in Thailand have forecast that at least 400,000 people may be diagnosed with the coronavirus, COVID-19, by the end of next year.
Read moreLao consumers will not face serious food shortages as in other countries if the international supply chain is disrupted due to the Covid-19 pandemic, according to a senior economist.
Read moreIn an effort to prevent possible outbreak of the disease in the country, the Lao government has taken a number of preventive measures
Read moreLaos has ordered the temporary closure of preschools and kindergartens across the country in the wake of the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus in many countries.
Read moreAuthorities in northern Laos’ Huaphan province on Sunday (March 15) called for the temporary closure of 10 traditional border crossings with Vietnam
Read moreA Thai team known as 5Lab that develops websites, software and applications has introduced a site devoted to tracking the spread of the Covid-19 virus in Thailand.
Read moreAuthorities in Laos are urging the public to suspend or postpone all “unnecessary” social events including weddings and Lao New Year celebrations in an attempt to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Read moreChina-dependent countries feel fallout in tourism, manufacturing, and exports.
Read moreThe first sector hit hard by the situation is tourism, followed by investment and trade.
Read moreMultiple diagnostic tests conducted in Laos are standardised and can reliably detect the coronavirus, a senior health official has said.
Read morePolice attributes most of the incidents to speeding and drunk driving.
Read moreIt’s not that these countries are getting lucky, says Marc Lipsitch, director of Harvard’s Center for Communicable Disease Dynamics, and one of the study’s authors. “They’re missing infections.”
Read moreDiabetic foot ulcers are the leading cause of non-traumatic amputations in people with diabetes and complications from the condition are becoming widespread in Laos
Read moreThe Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment has been keeping a close eye on the air quality in Vientiane amid the widespread illegal burning of garbage, rice fields and scrubland, which has created a thick haze over the city.
Read moreAny ‘farangs’ who do not wear face masks should be kicked out of the country, that’s according to Thailand’s health minister, Anutin Charnvirakul.
Read moreJ&C Insurance is proud to announce the launch of a unique product for the first time in Laos: APA Cancer Insurance! It is the perfect solution to secure your loved ones and yourself against cancer.
Read moreSeveral private schools, most in Laos’ capital Vientiane, have closed down as fears over the spread of the Wuhan coronavirus (nCoV)
Read moreHealth authorities are putting in place stringent screening measures at border crossings in response to the new coronavirus outbreak
Read moreThe outbreak has put other countries on alert as millions of Chinese travel for Lunar New Year. Authorities in Thailand and in Japan have already identified at least three cases, all involving recent travel from China.
Read moreA new study based in the country of Laos PDR found that tobacco use and air pollution exposure can greatly increase the odds of a person contracting tuberculosis.
Read moreThe nation’s largest-ever field of more than 4,000 domestic and foreign runners is expected to tackle the inaugural Vientiane International Marathon through the capital’s streets on December 8.
Read moreThe quality of dental care has significantly improved in Vientiane. The following clinics have ..
Read moreThe Luang Prabang Half Marathon offers the general population to get healthier and train, while at the same time it donates the money collected from the registration to the Lao Friends Hospital for Children (LFHC).
Read moreIf you’re thinking about getting on that workout grind, congratulations—from taking care of your mental health to getting better sleep to keeping your heart healthy, there are a ton of reasons to make working out a part of your life.
Read moreForeigners who receive medical treatment or services at a government hospital in Thailand may pay significantly more than Thai nationals and those from neighbouring countries under new guidelines.
Read moreBlack henna tattoos are a popular holiday ‘souvenir sought after by many visitors to Asean’s holiday resort locations due to their allegedly non-permanent nature and the mistaken belief that they are safe, even for children.
Read moreLaos is facing an outbreak of the most virulent form of the dengue virus this rainy season.
Read moreHealth officials and medical staff at hospitals across the country, including the capital, are endeavouring to combat the increasing number of dengue fever cases this year.
Read moreLaos has reported to the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) a series of seven cases of African swine fever (ASF) in the southern portion of the Southeast Asian country.
Read moreThai men have been told in no uncertain terms to stop trying to enlarge their penises.
Read moreJ&C Services is all about making life easier so to do that we have compiled a list of what we think are some of the best vets in Vientiane
Read moreBy the end of 2019 Thailand will be free from three types of plastic – microbeads, cap seals and oxo-degradable plastics.
Read more37 people were killed during a five day period that included the official three-day Lao New Year holiday
Read moreUN Special Rapporteur on poverty and human rights plans to refer the reclusive authoritarian nation to the UN Human Rights Council for a host of abuses and failings
Read moreAir pollution levels of particulate matter that are 2.5 micrometres and less in diameter (PM2.5) have returned to safe levels after a few days of rainfall.
Read moreRefillmybottle provides online maps that identify where refillers can walk in and fill up their bottle with clean drinkable water for free.
Read moreSource: Vientiane Times Wildfires in Laos and neighbouring countries are causing dangerous levels of air pollution in many regions of
Read moreAuthorities are warning people to exercise caution when lighting fires outdoors, as well as highlighting the dangers posed by household electrical faults.
Read moreThe Lao government has announced the temporary suspension of pig and pork product imports from China and Vietnam after African Swine Fever outbreaks in these countries.
Read moreWorkers have the legal right to require their employers to ensure occupational health and safety, a new governmental decree stipulates.
Read moreThe Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment has been keeping a close eye on air quality in Vientiane as Bangkok suffers high pollution levels.
Read moreConstruction of buildings to house the new Mahosot Hospital in Vientiane started on Friday to replace the existing century-old facility as part of efforts to overhaul the country’s health services.
Read moreA new project is underway at the Lao Tropical and Public Health Institute to improve the treatment of bile duct cancer in Laos and reduce the number of fatalities.
Read morePrincess Beatrice spent a week in South East Asia following the royal wedding for a very special cause – to run a half marathon supporting a children’s hospital.
Read moreMother and Child Hospital (MCH) in Vientiane has presented its successful results of in vitro fertilisation (IVF) treatments using intracytoplasmic sperm Injection (ICSI) for women wanting to fall pregnant.
Read moreScientists are racing to stamp out the disease in southeast Asia before unstoppable strains spread.
Read moreAn HIV vaccine that has the potential to protect people around the world from the virus has shown promising results.
Read moreA total of 1,089 cases of dengue fever have been reported so far this year in Laos, with two deaths, local daily Vientiane Times reported on Monday.
Read moreThe Ministry of Health will continue to work with international partners to reduce tobacco smoking in Laos even though there has been some success in this field.
Read moreWork has begun on the construction of the new Kasemrad International Hospital Vientiane (KIH Vientiane), the largest private hospital in Laos, with an expected completion date in two years’ time.
Read moreA total of 212 people died in road accidents around the country from January to February this year, with many of the crashes attributed to speeding and drunk driving.
Read moreAfter a comprehensive global review of all of its medical clinics, the Australian Government has decided to close the Australian Embassy Medical Clinic in Vientiane, in addition to the clinics in Phnom Penh and Yangon.
Read moreSeven people were killed and 20 passengers were seriously injured on Sunday night when a bus rolled down a steep hillside after its brakes failed while travelling from Phongsaly province to Vientiane.
Read moreLaos will soon have a privately-owned hospital of international standard in a residential area of Vientiane where locals and expats can access a full range of medical services.
The luxury hospital will be housed in …
In December 2017, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) released its latest report on opium production in Myanmar and, at face value, the news was good.
Read moreThe northern provinces are experiencing frosty weather and farmers and local residents are struggling to cope with daily life as they shiver in the cold.
Read moreTraffic Police Department, Ministry of Public Security has reported that 917 lives have been killed in road accidents nationwide over the past 11 months with Vientiane Capital sharing the highest number of road accident casualties.
Read moreThere’s something new in Laos. Something unique. Something exciting. It’s good for your health. It’s good for your peace of mind. It could save your life. And it’s brought to you by people who care about all these things: J&C Services – Your Insurance Experts.
Read moreAll medical documents for patients at private clinics and hospitals operated or owned by foreigners in Vientiane must be written in Lao to protect the rights and benefits of patients.
Read morePresident Bounnhang Vorachit and his visiting Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping yesterday broke ground for the start of construction of modern facilities to replace Vientiane’s Mahosot Hospital.
Read moreEpidemics and outbreaks happen very quickly – anywhere and without warning. While advancements in science have equipped us to better handle the flu, Asia’s continued growth in recent years and lack of sufficient infrastructure have made it difficult to handle large scale outbreaks, cope with hospitalisation numbers and contain transmission between individuals. These factors have made it easier for viruses to spread within local communities and across the region, putting everyone at risk.
Read moreThe Ministry of Health has ordered closure of one clinic in Vientiane and refused to extent licenses for other 195 clinics nationwide due to their failure to comply with applicable laws.
Read moreA form of malaria dubbed, “super malaria,” because of its resistance to standard treatment, has spread to Southeast Asia for the first time creating an alarming global threat.
Read moreThe Thai Ministry of Interior has approved 90-day visas for medical tourists from Laos, Cambodia, China, Myanmar, and Vietnam.
Read moreOver 5,000 people have been infected with dengue virus, with capital Vientiane hard hit with one death, Lao Ministry of Health has reported.
Read moreMORE than four decades after the last bomb fell from the skies above the remote and landlocked Southeast Asian nation of Laos, its countryside remains littered with deadly remnants from a conflict which long-ago faded into distant memory for many in the West.
Read moreThe Healthcare Department of the Ministry of Health will order the closure of foreign-owned clinics when their professional Lao medical licences expire this year.
Read moreYear-to-date dengue fever infections have increased from 1,760 up to May 31 to 3,000 cases until June 30, along with five deaths being recorded in the country.
Authorities are particularly concerned that dengue has been recorded in the capital at a higher rate than other provinces in the country.
Koi pla, raw fish ground with spices and lime, is thought to kill up to 20,000 people in Thailand every year.
Read moreJ&C Services together with Lane Xang Assurance (LAP) just launched a new groundbreaking Health & Life Insurance, called J&C Elite Care. “It’s the first health & life insurance product with a comprehensive cover up to US$ 100’000 which is available for Lao citizens and Expats living in Laos” says Mr. Stephan Aeschbach, owner of J&C Services.
Read moreHealth authorities say Laos still faces challenges in preventing dengue fever this year, especially with the emergence of dengue hemorrhagic fever. Dengue hemorrhagic fever is more severe and life-threatening than other forms of dengue, all of which are spread by the Aedesaegypti mosquito.
Read moreDozens of fertility clinics have mushroomed in land-locked Laos after scandals over commercial surrogacy have spurred wealthier southeast Asian neighbours to ban the controversial procedure since 2015.
Read moreSome 171 dengue fever cases, including 69 female victims, have been reported in Vientiane Capital so far this year.
Read moreSource: William Russell Superbugs may be on the rise, but by taking the right steps you and your family can
Read moreAs of May 1, all cigarette products of all brands, either domestically made or imported for commercial purposes in Laos, must be affixed with health warnings covering 75 percent of the packaging.
Read moreHealth officials are investigating a report that human sperm has been imported into Laos
Read moreChildren will receive free healthcare treatment at government hospitals this year according to a new government policy aiming to reduce the rate of mortality of children under five.
Read moreLaos, Nepal and Myanmar are the countries which have the lowest number of contraceptive users in Asia, according to the latest United Nations’ figures.
All three countries have just over 50 percent contraception usage with Laos (53 percent) and Nepal and Myanmar (52 percent) each for ….
Source: William Russell Many countries have strict rules governing the use of antibiotics. In the UK, Europe and US, they
Read moreAround 3,300 tuberculosis (TB) related deaths have been reported each year in Laos, according to the World Health Organisation.
Lao PDR still has a high TB burden and is one of the countries with the highest prevalence of TB, with an incidence of 182 per 100,000, and a death rate of 53 per 100,000; every year, there are an estimated 3,300 TB related death …
People across all parts of the country should be on alert for summer thunderstorms and pay close attention to weather forecasts as hot weather and storm risk intensifies.
A moderate high pressure system emanating from southern China will cover all parts of Laos and gusty westerly and easterly winds are set to prevail over the country, which are expected to cause outbreaks of summer thunderstorms from Saturday to ……
Source: KPL Approximately 6,000 children under five years of age in Laos reportedly die every year resulting from a lack
Read moreSeven rescue teams in Vientiane Capital have been instructed to consistently use a single type of siren to indicate when a person is being rushed to a hospital in order to prevent confusion among other road users.
Read moreThailand’s third most-deadly infectious disease kills 40 percent of those infected, but very few have ever heard of it. By the time Bunsri Mamak, 50, arrived at Sappasit Prasong Hospital in Ubon Ratchathani city in Thailand’s northeast, he was delirious and a very sick man. He had spent several weeks visiting local clinics and hospitals trying to find out what was wrong with him when he ….
Read morePeople should be careful about vaping in Thailand. While using e-cigs them selves are not illegal, it is illegal to import e-cigs and e-liquids and you could face up to 5 years in prison for possession and up to 10 year for production and sale and a fine of five times the value of the goods or both.
Apparently there is ‘NO’ law banning the ….
As of Jan. 25, at least 235 cases of dengue fever have been reported in Laos since the start of 2017. This compares to only 23 cases reported Jan. 1-30 in 2015 and 96 cases reported Jan. 1-29 in 2016.
Dengue fever outbreaks during 2017 have occurred countrywide, except in Bokeo, Houaphanh, Luang Namtha, Phongsaly, ……
Health authorities in the capital have admitted that the outbreak of dengue fever is higher this year compared to the same period in 2016.
From January 1-24 this year, 70 dengue fever infections have been recorded in Vientiane, while in the same period last year there were no reports of any outbreaks. The news comes with 12 out of 18 provinces in the country reporting dengue fever at alarming epidemic levels though …..
Vientiane has again topped the list of road accidents around the country over a two week period, with 66 recorded accidents and nine fatalities.
A report from the Traffic Police Department of the Ministry of Public Security provided figures from December 29, 2016, to January 8, 2017.
In Vientiane, 66 accidents were recorded, 93 people were……
Samitivej Sukhumvit Hospital in Bangkok has introduced the vaccine against four strains of the dengue virus, making it the first facility in Thailand to offer immunisation against the mosquito-borne disease.
Dr. On-umar Banpamai, an infectious diseases specialist at Samitivej Sukhumvit Hospital, said at a briefing the vaccine against the dengue virus had been studied and developed for decades. It has also been tested in ….
The health authority has established a system for the inspection of expired goods mixed in markets in an effort to curb the growth in these products according to the regulations.
The sale of fake and expired goods mixed with other products is still a common occurrence in Vientiane, even though the health authorities carry out regular ….
The number of new Lao HIV-contracted cases annually is trending upwards because at risk groups are having unsafe sex and receiving treatment too late.
Currently, there are some 11,500 people living with HIV in Laos with another 1,000 new cases each year. According to the NCCA, risk groups include ….
Laos and other countries around the world have pledged to take immediate action to combat the spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
WHO Representative to Laos Dr Juliet Fleischl emphasised the urgency of the issue this week, saying “We are beginning to see cases of resistance to antibiotics of last resort being reported in many countries. If we do not address antimicrobial resistance now, doctors and nurses will be empty-handed against a growing number of ….
Poverty reduction has slowed a little but the government will strive to reduce the number of poor families from 6.56 percent in 2016 down to 6.09 percent by 2017, the government has told the National Assembly.
There are four main reasons for the slower rate of poverty reduction, Minister of Planning and Investment Dr Souphanh Keomixay told the ongoing ordinary session of parliament when he presented a …..
Motorbikes were involved in 95 percent of the accidents in Laos during Oct. 3-16, with 90 percent of those dying in accidents being male,according to Traffic Police Department under Lao Ministry of Public Security.
As many as 331 road accidents occurred across the country during the period,resulting in 38 fatalities. Meanwhile,49 others were …
Thailand has reported its first two cases of Zika-infected babies with microcephaly, or babies born with abnormally small heads, as health authorities urge pregnant women to avoid mosquito bites and unprotected sex to prevent infection.
Meanwhile, the US Centre for Disease Control and Prevention added another 11 countries to its list where pregnant women …
Vientiane Rescue 1623, under the Foundation for Assisting Poor People of the Lao PDR, presented the Ramon Magsaysay Award 2016 to the Lao people, after receiving the award in Manila, the Philippines, last month.
A press conference was held at the Vientiane Center on Sunday to honour the recipients and officially hand over the …
Over 20 volunteers from Vientiane Rescue 1623 are performing drills to assist anyone in the water in preparation for this year’s boat racing festival in the capital next month.
Vat Chan Festival is the largest boat racing competition in Laos and takes place annually the day after Buddhist Lent ends. This year’s festival falls on October 17.
A senior officer with Vientiane Rescue 1623 under ….
Over 700 people were killed in road accidents around the country over the eight months from January to August 2016.
The Traffic Police Department under the Ministry of Public Security reported that 3,746 accidents were recorded nationwide during this time, involving 714 fatalities. Some 5,935 people were ….
The problem of unwanted pregnancies is rated among the top issues at the Vientiane Youth Centre for Health and Development when it comes to evaluating the increased numbers of people who visit the centre to receive advice and treatment, a director confirmed recently
The most common reason for young people to visit is to consult on problems of unwanted pregnancies, with the second most common reason being …
Health officials are keeping a close eye on the potential for Zika virus to spread to Laos after a number of cases have been reported in some ASEAN countries, including Singapore and neighbouring Thailand.
A health official in Vientiane told Vientiane Times on Thursday that so far this year Laos has yet to find any persons infected with Zika virus.
“But there is a risk of infection if ….
“Look at me, stay with us,” the paramedics shout as a barely conscious motorcyclist is bundled into a volunteer ambulance in the Laotian capital Vientiane, where rampant drink driving brings nightly carnage to the roads.
It is a grim scene familiar the world over. But in Laos, an impoverished and ….
Over 20 hit-and-run cases in Vientiane so far this year and many people have been injured or killed as a result, according to the Vientiane Traffic Police Department under the Ministry of Public Security.
There have been 23 reported hit-and-run cases in Vientiane so far this year and police have made ….
Methamphetamine use is on the rise in the country due to the foreigners, including those from neighbouring countries, using the drug when they come to visit or work, according to the police.
Amphetamine-type stimulants (ATS) in Southeast Asia include drugs such as methamphetamine which is also known as “crystal meth” or just “ice” or “ya ice” in the region.
A police official from the Ministry of Public Security told Vientiane Times that …..
Vientiane Rescue 1623, a humanitarian group formed by volunteers to save lives in the Lao capital, is among the six recipients of this year’s Ramon Magsaysay Award, regarded as Asia’s equivalent of the Nobel Prize.
Vientiane Rescue was set up in 2007 to provide first-aid services for free on roads in the Lao capital. Those behind it are a small team of students and ordinary people who began …..
The Ministry of Health and the World Health Organisation in Laos jointly held a press conference last week to put an end to the rumours concerning the so-called “new mystery disease” that had been circulating on social media.
Many people received updates on Facebook concerning an unidentified illness that struck down about 60 people in Xieng Khuang province this week, causing widespread concern and speculation about this “new” disease.
Speaking at the press conference …..
The government will soon require tobacco companies to display graphic health warnings on cigarette packets in the hope of reducing the number of deaths from smoking-related illnesses.
Tobacco companies will need to display these warnings relaying information on the dangers of smoking by October of this year.
Laos is still finding it difficult to implement health and legal policies to further reduce smoking in the country due to the …..
Seven people have died following a nationwide outbreak of dengue fever in the first six months of this year with Champassak province having the most cases.
From January 1 to June 10 this year more than 900 cases of dengue fever have been recorded around the country and from these seven people have reportedly died.
Champassak is taking the brunt of the outbreak with ….
At this time of year you may notice friends and family members with at least one pink eye. This isn’t a colourful contact lens, it’s Conjunctivitis, an eye infection that commonly occurs during the rainy season when bacteria thrives.
While both bacteria and viruses cause conjunctivitis, the Ophthalmology Centre in Vientiane has found that bacteria are almost always the cause of the cases it encounters.
Read moreUdon Thani’s Sangkhom district has been declared off-limits especially to pregnant women after a resident of the district was quarantined in Taiwan after he was tested to be infected with Zika virus.
Health volunteers in all villages in Tambon Sang Nang Khao of Nong Khai’s Pone Pisai district were instructed to mount a campaign to …
The help of the media is being enlisted to strengthen the HIV/AIDS control campaign in the hope of reducing the number of new HIV infections.
The Centre for HIV/AIDS/STI (CHAS) is recording about 1,000 new infections each year. Even though the prevalence of HIV/AIDS in Laos is low, the number of people contracting HIV is on …
Seeing this picture of someone from Vientiane on social media, I couldn’t help but think of this old saying. “An Ounce of Prevention is Worth a Pound of Cure”
Seeing all the unsafe thing that people do in this country makes me cringe.
As a former Medic it always made me sad to look at my patient on the stretcher and think of the ….
The negative impacts from banana plantations in Laos could be outweighing the benefits.
Despite the fact that banana plantation investments have created job opportunities for local people, reduced labour migration, contributed to social activities and improved infrastructure they are also having negative impacts on people’s health and the environment.
The findings were outlined in a study undertaken by the institute in cooperation with the National University of Laos …..
In the blinding glare of headlights, the traffic keeps coming. Motorbikes swerve dangerously, cars drive down the wrong side of the road – it’s Friday night in Vientiane, the busiest night of the week on the Laotian capital’s roads.
With the country’s economy booming, more people in Laos can afford motorbikes and cars than ever before – and they drive ….
Laos is the latest country to report a local transmission of Zika virus, according to the World Health Organization, as fears mount over the mosquito-borne illness that has been linked to birth defects.
Asia has seen only a sprinkling of cases of the virus, but a surge in Latin America this year has pushed the UN health agency to declare Zika a global health emergency….
After a year which saw an explosion of Dengue fever infections, Thailand is bracing itself for an even worse 2016 with experts warning the number of infections may be on par with the 1987 mega-outbreak.
Thailand recorded some 140,000 cases of infection last year, the highest number since the 170,000 cases of the 1987 crisis.
The first line of defense against the epidemic that has swept through Southeast Asia sees teams of …..
Despite its 60% efficacy, it may cut dengue burden substantially in many countries.
Dengue infections can have a severe and sudden onset, with bleeding tendencies and shock. Dengue is primarily an urban disease and large explosive epidemics with thousands of cases are common. Patients often require …..
Vientiane’s three rescue teams have reported on the number of road accidents they attended, and the fatality figures, from January 1 to December 29, 2015.
Combined figures showed that 270 people lost their lives in the capital for the year up to and including December 29. The three teams serving the public will …..
Snakes are common in Laos and can be found anywhere. Where I come from in Canada we only have one snake and it is non-poisonous. So I find myself nervous when I see a snake in my garden.
Although many people are bitten, less than half are poisoned, even by a poisonous snake, and of these few …
You’ve heard of “superbugs,” right – bacteria that have grown resistant to antibiotics due to widespread misuse of the drugs?
When someone was infected by one these bugs, there was always a last line of defense: harsh, aggressive antibiotics called polymyxins. But health experts warned that the day would come when that defense could fall, when we would enter a …..
Of the circa eight million tons of plastic that reaches the Earth’s oceans on a daily basis, most is coming from five major Asian countries, all of which are developing and experiencing impressive economic growth. Yet all also have …..
Read moreI’ve had them all in my garden: snakes, spiders, scorpions and other creepy crawleys… but recently, after 11 years in Laos, I came face to face with a new and truly scary species: the Giant Red Centipede (Scolopendra subspinipes).
When I saw it crawling around I was totally dismayed that such a creature might be living in my yard…. and actually I noticed it under my dining table (inside the house) while having dinner ! Yes, these guys are predators and are highly venomous … this one was probably looking for a big dinner himself ….
Laos has suffered a case of vaccine-derived polio, the World Health Organization said on Monday, in a new setback to hopes of eradicating the disease after the virus resurfaced in Ukraine and Mali.
The WHO said an 8-year-old boy died of …..
Four people were killed and six others sustained critical injuries in road accidents in the capital over the two-day period from September 9-10.
According to the Vientiane Traffic Police Department, a pick-up truck carrying 17 students overturned on Thursday morning in Donnoun village, Xaythany district, killing two passengers and seriously injuring six others. Other passengers were also injured in the accident. Police said the driver …..
While we might welcome the rain after months of sweltering heat and humidity some of our furry companions find thunderstorms and lighting a highly traumatic event. With long periods of relative ‘calm’ weather these fears can carry over from year to year and ultimately develop into serious ….
Read moreIn recent months diphtheria outbreaks have been reported in six places in Laos, in Vientiane and the provinces of Vientiane, Savannakhet, Khammuan, Huaphan and Luang Namtha. A total of 476 cases including six deaths were reported as of July 25, 2015.
Enhanced surveillance in the provinces is needed to stay abreast of the new cases; it is important that the local authorities and health workers participate in active case findings, facilitate contact tracing to……
Road accidents continue to kill and maim people across the country and Vientiane rescue teams are on standby 2 4 hours to help crash victims.
According to the rescue team of the Foundation for Assisting Poor People of the Lao PDR (Vientiane Rescue) the number of road accidents was continuing to increase with the team being called out more frequently attending up to 40 to 50 accidents each day. This compared with only five to 10 calls a day last year.
The rescue team reported over the six months period from January to June this year they attended 735 road accidents in Vientiane, during …..
Eight members of Lao rescue teams received one gold, one silver and six bronze medals from the International Disaster Medical Rally recently in Chiang Rai province, Thailand.
The rally from June 22-25 had rescue teams from 10 Asean countries competing to exercise their skills and experience in dealing with a number of mock emergency cases such as a building collapse, chemical leakage and water rescue.
Laos was represented by all three rescue teams currently serving the public in the capital, namely those from the Lao Red Cross, the Foundation for Assisting Poor People of Lao PDR (Vientiane Rescue) and …..
The number of tuberculosis (TB) patients who have developed drug resistance has increased this year, posing serious concerns for health officials.
Setthathirath Hospital identified 20 patients as drug resistant when they came to the hospital for treatment this year.
“We have been seeing a gradual increase in the number of drug resistant TB patients in the last few years and we recorded more cases this …….
An east Lancashire man who was working in Laos has died after contracting a tropical disease believed to have been caused by mosquito bites.
HGV driver David Murray, also known as ‘Muzz’ to his friends, was three months into a year-long stay at a project aimed at teaching young orphans English when bites on his legs became infected.
The 39-year-old was taken to hospital by volunteers at the Sae Lao Project, in the village of Nathong, in Laos, but died after going …..
A heart attack, or myocardial infarction (MI), is permanent damage to the heart muscle. “Myo” means muscle, “cardial” refers to the heart, and “infarction” means death of tissue due to lack of blood supply.
A network of blood vessels known as coronary arteries surround the heart muscle and supply it with blood that is rich in oxygen. The heart muscle needs this oxygen to function. A heart attack occurs when a coronary artery becomes suddenly blocked, stopping the …..
THAILAND is swinging into full alert against the killer Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) threat, which has already had serious impacts on South Korea, compelling the country to cut its interest rate in a bid to soften the blow to its economy already burdened by slack demand.
Thailand has seen no MERS cases yet, but Surachet said the move was necessary to facilitate efforts to control the deadly disease if it was ……
The Thai government yesterday provided grant assistance worth some 50 million baht (almost 12 billion kip) to fund the construction of a drug treatment and rehabilitation centre at Phonhong district hospital in Vientiane province.
The Thai funding will also be used to improve the outpatient building at the hospital and buy medical equipment to treat road accident victims.
The project to build a drug treatment and rehabilitation centre is part of the Lao government’s plan for the development of the health sector, as it needs to provide health services for the victims of ….
Stop ten people in the street and ask them, “What is first aid?” Their responses might range from “It’s putting on a Band-Aid” or “It’s giving CPR” or “It’s calling the Doctor. “All of these answers would be appropriate because first aid encompasses the entire gamut of help and medical assistance that someone gives — not only to an injured person — but to a person who is sick.
First aid applies to a broad range of medical situations. First aid is not just a set of skills. It also involves the ability to …..
A new law promulgated recently aims to better regulate alcoholic beverage businesses and their advertisements, hopefully preventing people from drinking to excess and lessening the resultant social and economic impacts.
According to Article 20 of the 26 page Law on Alcoholic Beverages, venues offering alcoholic beverages are not allowed to be located near healthcare and education centres, state offices, religious venues, embassies, public parks, opera houses, passenger vehicle stations, petrol stations, sports complexes and factories.
In addition, advertisements for alcoholic beverage products must not attempt to …..
We are heading into Pi Mai and already Vientiane Rescue are overwhelmed with the numbers of calls. Emergency calls increased by 200% in 5 months and almost 500 victims were registered last month … and Pi Mai hasn’t even yet started !
Sébastien Perret from Vientiane Rescue told us today that the organisation is in desperate need of First Aid Material, mainly gauze pads and medical gloves.
In fact, Vientiane Rescue can barely afford to operate at all. The volunteers rely entirely on private donations to keep the emergency service ….
Vientiane Rescue with its official name being the Foundation for Assisting Poor People of Laos is setting up the rescue hotline centre ‘1623′ in Nonghay village, Hadxaifong district, to provide urgent assistance to road accident victims over Lao New Year.
This is the second rescue centre to be established by the Foundation, with the first located in Thatluang village, Xaysettha district.
“I think the number of accidents will increase over Lao New Year on April 14, 15 and 16, especially as some drivers flout the traffic regulations by drinking and …..
Deaths from HIV/AIDS in Laos are on the decrease but the country continues to see new cases in significant numbers, Lao News Agency KPL reported on Monday.
The annual death toll attributed to AIDS had shown annual decreases from 130 deaths in 2010 through to 104 in 2013, reflecting improved efficacy and availability of anti-retroviral treatments.
Disturbingly however, the number of new cases in the country continues to rise with ….
Khou is an eight year-old girl from the village of Nong Khuay, a Khmu community two hours away from Luang Prabang. Ostensibly like other kids her age, she actually suffers frequent seizures and shows signs of a development disability. Because access to quality healthcare in Nong Khuay – and most rural villages in Laos – is unavailable, Khou has never been diagnosed, treatments never investigated. Until now.
Lao Friends Hospital for Children is the realization of the kindness of renowned Japanese photographer, Kenro Izu. While visiting Cambodia in 1994, he was struck by ……
When French paramedic Sebastian Perret witnessed a fatal accident in the Laos capital, Vientiane, in 2010, he was shocked that no ambulance came to help.
Every day, four people die in road crashes across Laos, giving the country one of the region’s worst road fatalities per capita in the region. Many more are injured but most cannot afford to pay a government ambulance to help them.
Unable to ignore the plight of the city’s road crash victims, Perret set up Vientiane Rescue, a volunteer ……
In the parts of the world where malaria still rears its ugly head, the sometimes-deadly parasitic disease is mostly controlled and bested by a class of drugs called artemisinins. But a new study shows pockets of drug-resistant malarial outbreaks have been cropping up throughout Southeast Asia.
The new study, which also noted drug-resistant infections in Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam, was published this week in the …..
Vientiane can be a tropical paradise for your pet. Long swims in the Mekong, sunbathing on the patio and early morning strolls in the park all help to keep our loved pets in good health and mentally stimulated.
It can be a worry to know how best to deal with the myriad risks out there in this tropical paradise. From ticks to fleas, mosquitos to snakes here’s a rundown on what …..
Anne Barker, ABC correspondent, has documented the amazing story of Vientiane Rescue, a team of locals and expats in Vientiane volonteering their time and effort to save countless lives in this beautiful, but poor country.
Apart from the Vientiane Rescue Team, no medical assistance is available in Laos and police who are often the first to reach the accident scene are not trained in first aid.
The volunteers rely entirely on private donations to keep the emergency service running.
We want to help raise money to help this group purchase the Equipment needed to improve their skills and ability to help others. Read more here how you can help save lives.
A British tobacco giant has been accused of depriving taxpayers in Laos, one of Asia’s poorest countries, of tens of millions of pounds, having struck a special tax deal with its government lasting a quarter of a century.
Health campaigners claim the agreement has kept cigarette prices in the country low, which encourages younger people to take up smoking.
But Imperial Tobacco, which accounts for around 90% of all cigarettes sold in Laos, has fiercely defended the deal between ….
Alliance International Medical Centre in Vientiane has joined hands with Bumrungrad International Hospital in Bangkok, Thailand to provide healthcare services for people from Laos.
Under the agreement, patients in Laos including Lao people and foreign expatriates who wish to go for treatment at Bumrungrad International Hospital in Bangkok can register through Alliance International Medical Centre.
The Alliance International Medical Centre will facilitate arrangements for patients to receive treatment at Bumrungrad International Hospital including ….
ONE in two Australian travellers get sick on overseas holidays – and India, Vietnam and Thailand are clocking up the highest number of holiday casualties.
Of those struck down by illness, most lost at least two days of their holiday. And many of those wasted sick days could have been avoided, with travellers admitting to being slack when it comes to basic preventive measures.
Tummy troubles like diarrhoea and gastro were the …..
The Law on Alcoholic Beverage Control will be submitted to the National Assembly for consideration at the end of this year, aimed at reducing the rate of drinking related illness in the years to come.
The Ministry of Health, in collaboration with involved government, private and international organisations is drafting the law on alcohol control, which is expected to be presented to the assembly at the end of this year.
According to a survey conducted by the World Health Organisation (WHO), Laos ranks number …..
The amount of garbage in the Nam Xong River has dropped from 70 tonnes to 40 tonnes this year after the government closed down backpacker parties along river in 2012.
But the release of waste water into the river remains a problem as authorities are working hard to keep the river clear and clean enough for swimming and bathing.
Each year a round 70-80 tonnes of rubbish were dumped into the river from tourist parties with both domestic and foreign tourists not properly disposing of food packaging and ….
According to researchers, those who sleep less than seven hours a night are nearly three times more likely to develop a cold than those who get eight or more hours of shuteye. “This study further supports just how important a consistent sleep schedule is to our health,” says Dr Carol Ash, a leading sleep expert and medical director.
“It shows what those of us in the sleep field have been trying to stress for years: Less sleep impairs the immune system and has a direct physiological impact. If you don’t get the right amount of sleep, you increase your risk of not only ….
The rate of smoking in Laos is still high compared to its population, causing the involved sectors to seek ways to reduce the problem.
A survey conducted recently in Laos found that more than one million people, or 29.4 percent of the adult population aged from 15 years and above, are tobacco users.
The survey also found that about 876,000 people or one third of all 15 year-olds have smoked tobacco. In addition, the rate of smoking among young people of both sexes aged between 13 and15 has increased each time a survey was conducted in ….
Ministry of Public Security reported yesterday 37 people were killed in road accidents nationwide during the six day celebration of Lao New Year from April 11-16.
The Traffic Police department of the ministry displayed this year’s records to media yesterday highlighting that 303 road accidents occurred nationwide during the period killing over 30 people and resulting in 544 injuries.
The department also reported drink driving and the breaking of traffic rules as the major causes of road accidents. Vientiane recorded the highest number with …
The Samitivej private hospital group has opened an international children’s hospital in Bangkok to serve up to 1,000 outpatients and 100 inpatients per day.
Samitivej International Children’s Hospital is staffed by specialist paediatricians who cover all aspects of a child’s health. The hospital offers a full spectrum of primary and tertiary care services including paediatric air and ground medical transport to treat medical ….
Like many girls in Laos, where almost one-third of the population lives below the poverty line, Vahn* was desperate to earn money for her family. This made her a prime target for sex traffickers.
As an uneducated 15-year old, Vahn said she was convinced by her stepsister to work at a farm in central Thailand. But she ended up at a Thai brothel, where she was forced to have sex with a client who paid to take her virginity.
Vahn’s story is not unique. Laos, a landlocked, communist state with one of the worst poverty rates in Southeast Asia, is a prime source for Thailand’s flourishing sex trafficking rings. Around 90 percent of Lao trafficking victims are transported to ….
Health officials say more work is needed to fight HIV/AIDS in Laos, which has an over-reliance on foreign donors and lack of government support, as well as limited treatment coverage and a widespread gap of awareness and testing.
“Even though HIV prevalence is low in [Laos, at 0.3 percent], we still need to keep efforts up to ensure all people in need of HIV services can access them and that no one is left behind. HIV is a reality in Laos and our progress on …..