Xavier Bettel on a working visit to Laos - Day 3

The third day of the trip included visits to several projects in two priority sectors of Luxembourg's cooperation in Laos: health and local development. The Minister travelled to Phonhong to visit the Maria Teresa Hospital where, in the presence of the Laos Health Minister, Bounfeng Phoummalaysith, he toured the hospital's various units and received an introduction to the work of the staff there. The hospital, which was built with the support of Luxembourg, is now recognised for the quality of its health services, which serve more than 500,000 people in Vientiane province, particularly the most vulnerable.

In the village of Thalat, Minister Bettel was able to get an idea of the activities of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), which is implementing the United Nations Joint Programme alongside the World Health Organisation and UNICEF to improve access to reproductive, maternal and child health services for the Laotian population. Among other things, the programme aims to train healthcare staff to provide quality care to women during pregnancy and childbirth, and to better meet the sexual and reproductive health needs of adolescents and young people.

As part of the local development programme implemented by Lux-Development, the implementing agency for Luxembourg's cooperation programme, the minister visited the village of Nathong, where various activities have been carried out with Luxembourg's support. In particular, the programme has supported the construction of an access bridge to the village and improvements to the water supply system. Other activities include building latrines, improving access roads and providing child-friendly educational materials.

Finally, Minister Bettel also visited the village of Nayang, which is being supported by the non-governmental organisation Caritas Luxembourg to improve the health and nutritional situation of the inhabitants, particularly children aged between zero and five. In addition to these areas, Caritas Luxembourg's activities in Laos focus on disaster management and risk reduction, as well as on strengthening people's livelihoods.

The day ended with a reception attended by the Luxembourg community and the close partners of the Luxembourg Cooperation in Laos.

Press release by the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, Defence, Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade