Laos to boost health system against climate change
The project, kicked off on Tuesday (July 22), aims to strengthen the climate resilience of Laos' health system by supporting the government in addressing climate-related health challenges through boosting community capacity to manage health impacts.
According to a report from the Center of Information and Education for Health under the Lao Ministry of Health on Wednesday, the project will enhance the use of climate data and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) indicators to monitor and prepare for climate risks in 25 vulnerable districts. It will also collaborate with health service providers to upgrade 79 health facilities nationwide.
In addition, Lao health officials and relevant agencies reviewed the project's objectives, scope, and timeline.
They also clarified roles and responsibilities, introduced implementation tools and methods, and promoted cooperation, monitoring, and evaluation strategies. - Xinhua
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
7 hours ago
- The Star
Chinese, Ghanaian doctors break new grounds with minimally invasive surgery
ACCRA, July 25 (Xinhua) -- The 14th Chinese medical team and Ghanaian doctors have successfully carried out the first laparoscopic transabdominal anterior hernia repair within the West African country's public hospital system. The surgery was performed Wednesday at the Lekma Hospital in the Ghanaian capital of Accra, led by Yang Yongguang, chief of the Chinese medical team, and Mahamadu Zakariah, chief of the surgery department of the hospital. "Sometime in February this year, I developed a health issue with pains in my abdomen. An X-ray conducted at the 37 Military Hospital revealed I was suffering from a hernia and was booked for surgery in August," said Godwin Seglah, the 46-year-old patient who underwent the surgical treatment. In a recovery ward, he told Xinhua that a Chinese friend introduced him to the Chinese medical team at Lekma Hospital. "I came here on Tuesday and was taken through the surgery on Wednesday. At first, I was scared, but I am feeling better now. The doctor did a wonderful job. And now I'm picking up and don't feel the pain I used to have when the hernia started anymore. I hope to recover fully soon," he added. Yang described the surgery as "a breakthrough, from zero to one." "We hope to apply minimally invasive techniques to more procedures in the future to serve the people of Ghana," he said. Commonly appearing in the abdominal, groin, navel, or surgical scar areas, a hernia occurs when internal parts of the body, such as organs or tissues, push through a weak spot in the surrounding muscle or tissue wall.
The Star
7 hours ago
- The Star
Rwanda launches campaign to curb air pollutants from vehicle emissions
KIGALI, July 25 (Xinhua) -- Rwanda has launched a campaign to curb air pollutants from vehicle emissions, which authorities say are fueling asthma, heart disease and lung cancer. In a statement on Thursday, the Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA) said that as part of the campaign, vehicle emissions testing will be conducted at regular vehicle inspection centers alongside mechanical checks. The campaign will help the country reflect on the health hazards of vehicle emissions, as cleaner cars mean healthier lives, REMA Director General Juliet Kabera said. According to REMA, fine particulate matter, also known as PM2.5, from vehicles can cause both short-term and long-term effects on human health. These small particles, smaller than 2.5 micrometers, can be inhaled deep into the lungs and even enter the bloodstream, causing a range of respiratory and cardiovascular problems, it warned. According to the World Health Organization, around 80 percent of deaths attributed to PM 2.5 exposure in the world could be avoided if countries attain the necessary annual air quality levels.
The Star
16 hours ago
- The Star
Malnutrition stunts children's growth in Laos
VIENTIANE: Laos is facing a malnutrition plight among children, with nearly 44 per cent of children under the age of five affected by stunted growth. There are about 385,000 such cases in the country, with 20 per cent of Lao children already stunted by the age of six months, reported the Vientiane Times. According to the Lao Social Indicator Survey, nearly two million people in Laos, mostly women and children, suffer from some form of undernutrition. "Chronic malnutrition remains a major concern, with 35.6 per cent of children under five showing signs of long-term undernourishment,' said the news report. Child food poverty among children in the South-East Asian region has been a pressing issue, largely due to poverty and access to quality food in remote areas. The United Nations Children's Fund (Unicef) 2024 report titled "Child Food Poverty: Nutrition Deprivation in Early Childhood,' revealed that poor diet quality contributes to child malnutrition in South-East Asia. "Twenty-six per cent of children under five have stunted growth, more than half suffer from micronutrient deficiencies, and child overweight and obesity are a rising concern,' said Unicef. According to the report, around the world, one in four children is living in severe child food poverty in early childhood, amounting to about 180 million children under the age of five. "Severe child food poverty is driving child undernutrition. The prevalence of severe child food poverty is three times higher in countries with a high prevalence of child stunting,' said the global agency. In Laos, the government has taken measures to address the public health issue, targeting to reduce child stunting by 25 per cent by 2030. "The government aims to create a healthier population by addressing the root causes of malnutrition and ensuring that children are given the chance to grow, learn and contribute to the country's future,' reported Vientiane Times. - Bernama
