(KPL) The Ministry of Health convened senior executives from central and provincial hospitals in Vientiane Capital on Feb 13 to advance the transformation of public hospitals into self-governing entities.

The meeting, organized by the Department of Medical Treatment and Rehabilitation, was chaired by Health Minister Ms. Baykham Khatthiya and attended by representatives from relevant sectors.

Officials reviewed progress, challenges and lessons learned from pilot implementation at three central hospitals: Mahosot Hospital, Setthathirath Hospital and Mittaphab Hospital.

Participants received policy guidance from the Minister and heard presentations on the Ministry’s expectations for hospital autonomy, the decree governing the transformation of academic technical units into self-governing entities, and performance reports from the pilot hospitals. Discussions also covered legal and financial frameworks, human resource restructuring, organizational management, and measures to strengthen consensus and accelerate implementation.

The Ministry is preparing to extend the self-governance model to two additional central hospitals and ten provincial hospitals. Lessons from the pilot phase are expected to guide implementation by identifying strengths, addressing constraints and supporting a gradual, effective transition.

The reform aims to enhance service quality and management efficiency by granting hospitals greater control over administration, personnel and financial operations.

KPL