U.S. Embassy in Laos -- The National Center for Laboratory and Epidemiology (NCLE), Ministry of Health, convened a workshop, with support from the U.S. government, to mark the new initiative: Strengthening Health Laboratory and Epidemiology System in Lao PDR, held in Vientiane Capital on 21 March 2017.

This project will strengthen National Laboratory Systems in Laos with a commitment of three million USD from the United States government over three years, 2017 to 2020. It will be implemented by the World Health Organization (WHO), which will coordinate management and technical assistance to NCLE to strengthen national laboratory diagnostic capacity and systems, including quality control, bio-safety and bio-security; and working with a network of national and provincial laboratories. Additionally, assistance will support the Lao Field Epidemiology Training (FET) Program in building national and local capabilities in responding to infectious disease threats, including Avian and Pandemic Influenzas.

The Inauguration Ceremony and Workshop was chaired by Dr. Bounlay Phommasack, Director General of Department of Communicable Diseases Control (DCDC), Ministry of Health, and two Co-Chairs: Mr. Michael Kleine, Deputy Chief of Mission of the Embassy of the United States of America to the Lao PDR; Dr. Luo Dapeng, ESR Team Leader, WHO Lao PDR. Sixty participants from throughout the Ministry of Health, including provincial health departments, and representatives from the Merieux Foundation attended the workshop.

This project supports the Lao PDR’s compliance to the International Health Regulations through the Global Health Security Agenda.