(KPL) Anouparb Vongnorkeo, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Laos, received a courtesy call from Saia Ma’u Piukala, Regional Director for the Western Pacific of the World Health Organization, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Laos in Vientiane on March 5, 2026.

Deputy Minister Anouparb welcomed Dr. Piukala on his second official visit to Laos, noting that his previous visit in 2024 during the country’s ASEAN Chairmanship 2024 demonstrated the strong partnership between Laos and the WHO.

On behalf of the Lao government, he expressed appreciation for the WHO’s long-standing support since the establishment of its country office in Laos in 1962. He highlighted several key achievements from the cooperation, including the elimination of lymphatic filariasis, trachoma and malaria, the expansion of nationwide immunization programmes, the effective response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and a nearly 80 percent reduction in the maternal mortality rate.

The two sides also discussed the implementation of the Lao PDR–WHO Country Cooperation Strategy for 2024–2028, which focuses on strengthening sustainable health systems to achieve universal health coverage, improving preparedness for health emergencies and disease outbreaks, promoting a healthy population, and advancing overall well-being for all citizens. These priorities align with the National Socio-Economic Development Plan and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Dr. Piukala thanked the Deputy Minister for the warm reception and congratulated Laos on its successful role as Association of Southeast Asian Nations Chair in 2024. He also commended the country’s progress toward graduating from Least Developed Country status.

He reaffirmed the WHO’s continued commitment to supporting the Ministry of Health of Laos and the Lao government in promoting health and well-being for the people of Laos.

KPL