Hanoi (VNA) –A delegation of the Ministry of Health led by Minister Dao Hong Lan heldtalks with its Lao counterpart led by Minister Bounfeng Phoummalaysith in Hanoi on July 21.

During the talks,Minister Lan highlighted the sound development in the Vietnam – Laos specialrelations, affirming that Party and State leaders, as well as ministries and sectorsof Vietnam always highly value the vital role and significance of the specialsolidarity between the two countries, as well as bilateral cooperation in variousareas, including healthcare.

The two countries' health sectors over the past decades has always maintained close andeffective cooperation, contributing to further promoting the Vietnam – Laos relationship,she stressed.

To enhance cooperationbetween the two sides, notably in the coordination of medical examination andtreatment, training of medical staff, control of infectious diseases,  central-level and specialised hospitals ofVietnam are ready to receive and provide medical treatment for Lao people.  

Lao people living along the shared border lines between the two countries havereceived support, medical examinations and treatment from the border healthagencies of Vietnam, she said.

Some medicaluniversities of Vietnam have received and trained Lao students under an agreementsigned between the two governments, Lan said, adding that during the COVID-19pandemic, the two sides supported each other in the fight againstthe disease.

Lan expressed her desire that cooperation between the two sides’ health sectors will continue tobe enhanced in the coming time.

For his part, BounfengPhoummalaysith thanked the Government and the Ministry of Health of Vietnam fortheir timely and practical support during the fight against COVID-19.

Vietnam's healthsector has always assisted its Lao counterpart, especially in providing medicalequipment, training human resources, and giving medical examination andtreatment for Lao people in border areas, he said.  

Minister BounfengPhoummalaysith wished to continue receiving support in human resources training,and in developing Laos' hospitals into financiallyautonomous medical facilities.

He suggested the two sidesexpand cooperation in traditional medicine, pharmacy, and disease preventionand control.

He affirmed the mutual support between the two sides at internationalforums and with ASEAN countries in building the ASEAN Center forPublic Health Emergencies and Emerging Diseases (ACPHEED) when Laos undertakesthe role as the ASEAN Chair in 2024./.