First Building Of New Mahosot Hospital Handed Over To Laos
Source: Vientiane Times
Construction of the first wing of the new Mahosot Hospital in Vientiane has been completed and was officially handed over to Laos by China on Thursday.
When the new hospital is fully operational it will be the largest in Laos, boasting state-of-the-art equipment and quality healthcare.
The second wing is expected to be complete within the next year, while the first building will open to patients next month.
The handover ceremony took place at the new building and was attended by Lao Minister of Health, Dr Bounfeng Phoummalaysith, and the Chinese Ambassador to Laos, Mr Jiang Zaidong.
Speaking at the ceremony, Dr Bounfeng thanked the Chinese government for its support to the Ministry of Health through the construction of the new Mahosot Hospital, the provision of Covid-19 vaccine, and other assistance.
“Construction of this facility is the largest project underway as part of the development of a modern hospital and upgraded equipment and systems for the care of patients. China is also supplying modern medical equipment and training Lao medical staff,” he added.
Construction has been delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic after work began in November 2018.
The new hospital will have 600 beds and a rooftop helicopter pad. It is being built on the site of the existing hospital in Sisattanak district and is financed through a Chinese grant of 590.7 million yuan (839.6 billion kip).
The new facility is being built on 30,300 square metres and will cover over 60 percent of Mahosot’s total land area of 54,792.64 square metres.
A ground-breaking ceremony for the project took place in 2017 and was attended by President Bounnhang Vorachit and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping.
The hospital comprises five buildings: a nine-storey building to accommodate patients, a five-storey and two four-storey buildings that will house medical departments, and a 400-seat conference room.
The original Mahosot Hospital was built by the French in 1903 and has 450 beds. The hospital’s two main buildings will not be demolished.
