Latest news with #Lao
Barnama
42 minutes ago
- Health
- Barnama
Malnutrition Stunts Children's Growth In Laos
A Loa village was hit by heavy rainfall on July 24. Laos faces a major task in tackling malnutrition among children (illustration photo). Photo credit: Vientiane Times PHNOM PENH, July 25 (Bernama) -- 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. bootstrap slideshow '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 Southeast 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) last year's report titled 'Child Food Poverty: Nutrition Deprivation in Early Childhood,' revealed that poor diet quality contributes to child malnutrition in Southeast 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.
The Star
19 hours ago
- Business
- The Star
Laos aims to improve workforce skills and also expand job access for its youth
VIENTIANE (Xinhua: The Lao government, in collaboration with its partner, has launched a skills testing and certification program to improve national workforce standards and promote fair employment opportunities nationwide. The programme was officially launched on Wednesday in Lao capital Vientiane, bringing together key development partners, private sector representatives, and other stakeholders, according to a report from the Lao Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare on Thursday. In his speech, Lao Deputy Minister of Labor and Social Welfare Phongsaysak Inthalath highlighted the importance of skills testing in assessing workers' abilities and recognizing informal skills according to national standards. He emphasized that certification allows experienced workers, especially those without formal qualifications, to gain official recognition, promoting lifelong learning and encouraging continuous upskilling to meet evolving market and technological demands. He added that skills testing is a vital tool for matching employees with suitable jobs and ensuring fair, skills-based pay. It also helps reduce labor turnover, retain skilled workers, and ease migration pressures. The program targets young people, early school leavers, low-skilled workers, and marginalized groups, aiming to equip them with market-relevant vocational skills to enhance their employment prospects and economic resilience. It also supports the government's broader efforts to empower women, youth, and self-employed individuals by improving access to quality skills training. A key goal of the program is to test and certify 250,000 individuals nationwide between 2026 and 2030, contributing to the development of a more capable, competitive, and inclusive workforce. The initiative is expected to boost Laos' socio-economic development by increasing productivity and preparing the labor force to meet the demands of both regional and global markets. - Xinhua
The Star
2 days ago
- Health
- The Star
Laos to boost health system against climate change
VIENTIANE: Laos has launched a project to strengthen its health system by building community capacity to better cope with the health impacts caused by 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
Miami Herald
2 days ago
- Science
- Miami Herald
Hairy ‘dwarf'-like creature found lurking in tree in Laos. It's a new species
In a mountainous forest of southeastern Asia, a 'dwarf'-like creature tucked its hairy body into the hollow of a tree. Its 'opportunistic' lifestyle and small size likely helped it go unnoticed — until visiting scientists spotted it. It turned out to be a new species. A team of Thai and Laotian scientists visited the forests of southern Laos in August 2023 to survey spiders, according to a study published July 22 in the peer-reviewed journal ZooKeys. During the visit, researchers found several small tarantulas that didn't quite match any known records, the study said. They took a closer look at the animals and soon realized they'd discovered a new species: Phlogiellus khampheng, or the Khampheng dwarf tarantula. Khampheng dwarf tarantulas can reach about half an inch in size, the study said. Like other spiders, they have eight eyes and eight legs. Photos show the 'dark brown' hue of the new species. 'Short, grayish white hairs' cover its body and legs, the study said. Khampheng dwarf tarantulas were found in a mountain forest at an elevation of about 870 feet, researchers said. 'The spiders are opportunistic utilizing various microhabitats such as soil walls, under rocks, beneath timber, within cracks in timber, and inside tree hollows.' In each of these places, researchers found Khampheng dwarf tarantula nests with a 'silk structure' surrounding the entrance. Photos show some spiders in their silk nest. Inside these 'retreats' were ant and termite remains, indicating these insects 'form a significant part of (the new species') diet,' researchers said. Researchers said they named the new species after a Lao and Thai word 'used as a term of endearment to refer to someone who is cherished and precious to the speaker… By choosing this name, the authors sought to convey the special and valuable relationship between Thailand and Laos, the two countries that collaborated closely in the discovery of this remarkable new tarantula species.' So far, the new species has only been found near Pakse, a city in southern Laos, the study said. Laos is a landlocked country bordering Cambodia, China, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam. The new species was identified by its DNA, reproductive system and other subtle physical features, the study said. The research team included Patipan Sriranan, Chaowalit Songsangchote, Odeth Sihavong, Phoukhanh Sayavongsa, Keolamphanh Sidavong, Lilammone Satakoun, Khamla Inkhavilay, Narin Chomphuphuang and Ray Gabriel.
Bangkok Post
3 days ago
- Bangkok Post
Police hunt driver who shot officer during car chase
NAKHON RATCHASIMA - Police are hunting a man suspected of having crossed the border into Laos after he injured an officer during a car chase. Kittiphan Pengkhlai fired bullets at a police vehicle while his pickup truck was being chased on Mittraphap Road in Bua Lai district of Nakhon Ratchasima province on Friday night, said Pol Lt Col Somsak Sakhon, the Bua Lai station superintendent. The chase began after the suspect, a resident of Chai Nat, failed to stop at a roadside checkpoint for a drug search, prompting two officers to go after him. Police called off the pursuit after one officer in the car was injured in the head by bullets fired by the fleeing driver. (Story continues below) Police on Tuesday obtained an arrest warrant from the Bua Yai Provincial Court for Mr Kittiphan on multiple charges, including attempting to kill on-duty officers. Also on Tuesday, investigators found the suspect's pickup parked in Dan Sai district of Loei province but did not find the driver or any other items inside. Pol Lt Col Somsak suspected he had crossed the border into neighbouring Xayaburi province of Laos, adding that Thai police were contacting their Lao counterparts to join the hunt.
