(KPL) A new milestone in maternal and child healthcare was marked on June 3, 2025, with the official handover and inauguration of the Mother and Child and Nutrition Training Center at Luang Namtha Provincial Hospital.

The ceremony was attended by Dr. Aphone Visathep, Deputy Minister of Health; Mr. Sivilay Pankeo, Deputy Governor of Luang Namtha Province; Mr. Sungsoo Oh, President of the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA); as well as officials from provincial departments and relevant sectors.

The center aims to become a key facility for training, knowledge transfer, and capacity building in maternal and child health and nutrition. It will serve provincial and district hospital staff, health centers, village volunteers, and community members, providing practical training and demonstrations based on nutritional principles.

As the first facility of its kind in the Lao PDR, the center is positioned to serve not only Luang Namtha but also the wider northern region of the country. Its primary objectives include improving access to nutritional education, enhancing skills in maternal and child care, and offering cooking demonstrations for families, particularly those with malnourished children.

Malnutrition remains a significant challenge in Laos. According to recent health statistics, 33% of children under the age of five suffer from stunting, 21% from underweight, and 9% from wasting. These issues are especially prevalent in poor and remote communities.

In response, the initiative to establish the center began in 2019, focusing on reducing severe malnutrition by 25% through targeted training and capacity building across health service levels. Construction of the center began in 2022, with completion achieved in December 2024. The total cost of the project was USD 760,000, funded with support from KOICA.

The new center is expected to play a critical role in improving child nutrition and health outcomes across northern Laos in the years to come.

KPL