Representatives from development partners, learn about the outputs of the Health System Development Project-Programme.
Introduction: Representatives from development partners, line departments of the Ministry of Health and the provinces met in Vientiane to learn about the outputs of the Health System Development Project-Programme.
Story: The programme’s closing meeting was co-chaired by Deputy Minister of Health Assoc. Prof. Dr Som-ock Kingsada and Asian Development Bank (ADB) Country Dire ctor and Lao PDR Resident Mission Ms Sandra Nicoll.
According to Assoc Prof. Dr Som-ock said the Health System Development Project-Programme was granted by the ADB at a cost of US$20 million, running from 2009 to 2014.
The programme had helped the ministry to implement the 7th five-year health sector development plan (2011-2015) and efforts made to overcome challenges to meet the health-related Millennium Development Goal (MDG) targets. The health sector has continually developed and improved especially in eight northern provinces which have benefitted from this programme.
In particular, there has been a strengthening of financial planning and budgeting; increased access to better quality health services for mothers and their children; health equity funds for the poor; and human resource improvements in the health sector.
Ms Nicoll said the programme helped to strengthen financial management planning and budgeting in local systems, the building and training of quality health officials, especially village physicians, midwives, specialists and health facilities.
The Health System Development Project-Programme is the first sector development programme in the health sector by the ADB, including both policy reforms to improve the quality of services and investment in infrastructure and capacity development.
It was implemented in the eight northern provinces of Phongsaly, Luang Namtha, Bokeo, Xayaboury, Luang Prabang, Oudomxay, Huaphan, and Xieng Khuang.
Source: Lao National Television News in English (LNTV)
Broadcast on May 28, 2015
