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(KPL) In order to help improve the nutrition of Lao citizens, especially children, the Ministry of Health in cooperation with the United States opened the Lao National Institute of Nutrition and the Lao-American Nutrition Initiative on Nov 14, 2019 in Vientiane Capital.
The beautiful new institute, which combines clinic and classroom buildings, has a combined value of US$ 3.9 million.
U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Colin Crosby, USACE Pacific Ocean Division Commander, Brig. Gen. Thomas Tickner and Minister of Health Bounkong Sihavong cut the ribbon to handover the National Institute of Nutrition (NIN) in Vientiane on Nov 14, 2019
(KPL) In order to help improve the nutrition of Lao citizens, especially children, the United States, in close cooperation with the Lao Ministry of Health, opened the Lao National Institute of Nutrition and the Lao-American Nutrition Initiative (LANI) on Nov 14, 2019 in Vientiane Capital.
The beautiful new institute, which combines clinic and classroom buildings, has a combined value of US$ 3.9 million.
At the opening ceremony in Vientiane, Minister of Health Bounkong Syhavong, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health Nao Boutta, U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Colin Crosby, and USACE Commander and Division Engineer for the Pacific Ocean Division Brig. Gen. Thomas J. Tickner cut the ceremonial ribbon, officially opening the Lao National Institute of Nutrition and Lao-American Nutrition Initiative.
“This institute is offered on behalf of the American people to the people and government of the Lao PDR,” said U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Crosby during the opening ceremony.
“Projects such as this will help strengthen the relationship between the United States and the Lao PDR, and improve the quality of life for Lao people across this country,” he added.
This opening marks the completion of the first of two phases of the project funded by USACE.
The Institute contains LANI, a five-year activity funded through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), which will help develop Lao academic and research leaders through engagement and partnership with leading U.S. universities.
The buildings will provide a cooperative workspace for Lao National Institute of Nutrition (NIN) and LANI activities, where Americans will work alongside Lao experts to conduct locally-led research that can find solutions to nutrition challenges and improve nutrition outcomes for the Lao community. Ultimately, this will create a center of excellence within NIN, supporting efforts by the Lao Ministry of Health to develop an effective national-scale nutrition programme in the country, and improve the health of Lao people.
The United States has invested significantly in humanitarian assistance building projects and nutrition. USAID’s total contribution to nutrition improvement in the Lao PDR over the past 3 years is valued at more than US$11.5 million.
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