(KPL) In a notable display of international cooperation, a delegation led by the Ministry of Health, the government of China, and UNICEF visited Savannakhet Province to observe the impact of their collaborative efforts on maternal and child health and nutrition in the Lao PDR.

Led by Dr. Phayvanh Keopaseuth, Vice Minister of Health, Ms. Fang Hong, the Chinese Ambassador to Lao PDR, and Mr. Bilal Aurang Zeb Durrani, UNICEF Country Representative to the Lao PDR, the delegation toured several health facilities in Savannakhet, including the Donaxay Health Centre and the District Hospital in Adsaphanthong District, as well as the Savannakhet Provincial Hospital.

“We are deeply grateful to UNICEF and the Government of China for their dedicated support in implementing maternal and child health and nutrition programmes across our five targeted districts,” said Mr. Phoxay Khaykhamphithoune, Vice Governor of Savannakhet Province in a bilateral meeting with the delegation.

The three-party partnership began in October 2022 with a project supported by the Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China (MOFCOM), running until September 2024. This initial phase focused on building national and local capacities on preventing, detecting, and referring malnourished children, as well as enhancing the efficient supply chain management of nutrition commodities.

Building on these achievements, a new partnership with the China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA) was launched in December 2024. With a USD 1.48 million investment, the initiative will address acute malnutrition, improve child health, and strengthen child protection services across the country—ultimately benefiting more than 220,000 children.

“We highly appreciate the partnership of the Government of China and UNICEF which is helping save lives and improve the health and quality of lives for women and children in the country,” said Dr. Phayvanh Keopaseuth, Vice Minister of Health.

The delegation observed how integrated health and nutrition services are being delivered to mothers and children, ranging from antenatal care and vaccinations for pregnant women to the use of low-cost Mid-Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC) tapes to detect malnutrition in young children, as well as ready-to-use therapeutic food (RUTF) to treat severe malnutrition.

“Our visit to Savannakhet underscores a shared determination to address some of the most pressing health challenges in the Lao PDR,” said Ms. Fang Hong, Chinese Ambassador to the Lao PDR “The support provided to these health facilities is a testament to China’s responsibility as a major global player and our commitment to improving the lives of Lao women and children.”

During the visit, the delegation also met with Village Health Volunteers, who play a pivotal role in supporting local health workers and mobilizing communities to seek healthcare services.

Mr. Bilal Aurang Zeb Durrani emphasized the importance of strong partnerships for improving health outcomes: “This project demonstrates how partnerships, community engagement, and strengthened local health systems can combine to create positive change. UNICEF remains strongly committed to further strengthening and deepening its partnerships to ensure that every child in the Lao PDR can get the best start in life”.

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KPL