Hospital staff and district officials pose with THPC representatives
with some of the donated equipment

(KPL) A new hospital in Khounkham district, Khammouane Province, is offering improved care for patients with a range of illnesses and conditions following a second donation of equipment by the Theun-Hinboun Power Company (THPC).

On May 31, THPC staff delivered an ambulance and various items of medical emergency equipment to the hospital, along with sets of basic supplies and medicines.

This followed an earlier handover in March this year of obstetric equipment for childbirth and the care of expecting mothers and newborn babies.

The donated equipment, valued at over US$52,000, was previously installed in a clinic at the nearby Theun-Hinboun site.

The THPC clinic has for many years acted as the de facto hospital for people living in the area, but with the opening of the new district hospital, THPC is giving vital equipment to the new facility so that it can serve the local community. Many of the district health staff have trained with THPC over the past few years in preparation for the opening of the hospital.

Soulideth Baomanikhoth, the Deputy General Manager of THPC, said that Khounkham district had grown enormously since the beginning of the Theun-Hinboun project and it was encouraging to see the district taking responsibility for providing public services.

“This is a sign of the positive development in the area, and THPC is proud to have played a role in the economic development of Khounkham and in building the capacity of the local health service,” said Mr Soulideth.

THPC operates the Theun-Hinboun and Nam Gnouang Powerhouses in Khammouane and Bolikhamxay provinces, with a combined capacity of 520 megawatts. THPC is the only independent power producer that is majority Lao-owned and 99% of its staff are Lao nationals. The company’s business covers not only power production, but also innovative and wide-ranging social and environmental programmes across five districts in two provinces. THPC has contributed over US$465 million to the state since beginning operations in 1998.

KPL