(KPL) The Ministry of Health will work in close collaboration with development partners to strengthen Laos’ health system and enhance its resilience to the growing impacts of climate change.

A signing ceremony for the Memorandum of Understanding on the Strengthening Climate Resilience of Laos’ Health System project was recently held in Vientiane. The agreement was signed by Ms. Phonepaseuth Sayamongkhun, Director-General of the Department of Hygiene and Health Promotion, Ministry of Health, and Mr. Luke Ebbs, Country Director of Save the Children in Laos. The event was witnessed by Minister of Health Mr. Bounfeng Phoummalaysith, WHO Representative Dr. Timothy Armstrong, and other relevant officials.

Funded by the Green Climate Fund, the five-year initiative will support the implementation of Laos’ national climate change and health adaptation strategies. The project aims to upgrade 100 health facilities and support 250 communities across 25 districts in seven provinces: Luang Prabang, Luang Namtha, Phongsaly, Oudomxay, Salavan, Khammuan, and Sekong.

Key activities include training health workers to respond to climate-related health threats, improving health infrastructure to withstand climate impacts, raising community awareness, and expanding early warning systems. The initiative is expected to improve healthcare access for more than 2.3 million people in vulnerable rural areas.

As Laos faces increasing climate-related risks—including rising temperatures, natural disasters, and worsening air pollution—health experts warn of serious consequences for public health, such as infrastructure damage and the spread of diseases like malaria and diarrhea.

KPL