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Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Risk Mitigation
News article29 September 2020ManilaJoint Research Centre

CoE Regional Secretariat for South East Asia Webinar Series on COVID-19: “Lao PDR’s Experiences in COVID-19 Control and Response”

10th SEA webinar
10th SEA webinar
Joint Research Centre

The webinar, “Lao PDR’s Experiences in COVID-19 Control and Response”, was opened by Dr. Alexander Hamilton, CBRN CoE Regional Coordinator for South East Asia, United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI).
Following brief opening remarks, Dr. Hamilton introduced the guest speaker, Dr. Souphatsone Houatthongkham, Deputy Chief of the Epidemiology Division, National Center for Laboratory and Epidemiology (NCLE), Ministry of Health, Lao PDR, presenting on behalf of Dr. Phonepadith Xangsayarath, Director of NCLE.

Dr. Souphatsone Houatthongkham’s presentation began with a description of how the country prepared its Points of Entry (POE) to control the introduction and spread of COVID-19 and how multisectoral collaboration supported the management of returning workers.
The presentation further detailed successes, challenges and lessons learned encountered throughout the pandemic. Future plans were also noted, including plans for a “safe, clean and green health facility initiative”, the maintenance of essential health services and preparations for a sustainable “new normal” in the health sector.
Finally, it was noted that several UN agencies and NGOs assessed the quarantine centre in the capital city, Vientiane, and are providing assistance to improve how quarantine centres are set up in the country’s provinces.

The webinar was attended by biological experts from across SEA, as well as representatives from the EU, the World Health Organization (WHO), the US Defense Threat Reduction Agency - Biological Threat Reduction Program (DTRA-BTRP), and other international organisations and partners.

Details

Publication date
29 September 2020
Author
Joint Research Centre
Location
Manila