WHO experts and partners are assisting the Lao Ministry of Health in all aspects of preparedness and response. These include:
- Sourcing medical equipment such as ventilators and laboratory equipment; and medical supplies such as masks, eye-protectors and other protective equipment plus the materials needed to test .
- Providing guidance and training on use of medical equipment and supplies.
- Technical support for preparedness planning, for detection of COVID-19 cases, contact tracing and laboratory testing of samples from suspected cases.
- Supporting preparedness of individual hospitals to be used for treating COVID-19 cases.
- Technical support to develop national guidelines on clinical management of COVID-19 cases.
- Technical support, in cooperation with partners, in developing and disseminating effective risk communication on COVID-19.
WHO and international partners are rallying to support Lao PDR as it responds to the arrival of COVID-19 cases in the country. A coordination system was activated for NGOs, UN agencies, development partners and donors wishing to support the response to COVID-19. More than 50 international and local organizations are now coordinating their efforts via WHO.