KPL
Health authorities from Laos and Thailand conducted a joint public health emergency response drill in Champasak Province from Aug. 4–5 to strengthen cross-border preparedness, improve disease surveillance and enhance coordination in responding to infectious disease outbreaks.
The exercise brought together officials from Champasak Province and Thailand's Ubon Ratchathani Province, along with representatives from the Lao provinces of Saravane, Attapeu and Sekong.
Among those attending were Mr. Souksavanh Vilayvong, President of the Champasak Provincial Administration Organization, and Narong Thepsena, Governor of Ubon Ratchathani Province.
The drill was designed to improve emergency response capabilities, test surveillance and coordination systems, and strengthen cooperation in managing public health emergencies and cross-border communicable diseases. It also provided a platform for both sides to exchange information, share lessons learned and enhance mechanisms for future collaboration.
During the exercise, Dr. Phitakphong Chandeng of Ubon Ratchathani presented case studies on outbreaks of avian influenza, anthrax, Ebola and other emerging infectious diseases through a tabletop simulation.
The exercise focused on strengthening the cross-border public health emergency response framework between the southern Lao provinces of Champasak, Saravane, Sekong and Attapeu and Thailand's Ubon Ratchathani Province.
Speaking at the event, Souksavanh Vilayvong underscored the importance of close public health cooperation amid growing cross-border travel and trade. He said systematic emergency response planning and regular joint exercises would help reduce the health, economic and social impacts of future disease outbreaks in both countries.
KPL
