Attapeu Visit Highlights Australia’s Support for Vaccination and Early Childhood Education in Laos
A delegation from the Ministry of Health, Lao Women’s Union, Australia and UNICEF recently visited Attapeu to observe the impact of their partnership on the health and well-being of Lao children.
Attapeu Province, 9 September 2024 – Over the past week, a delegation led by H.E. Dr. Bounfeng Phoummalaysith, Minister of Health of Lao PDR, joined by H.E. Aly Vongnorbountham, President of the Lao Women’s Union; H.E. Megan Jones, Australian Ambassador to Lao PDR; and Mr. Bilal Durrani, UNICEF Country Representative to Lao PDR, visited Attapeu province to observe the impact of their partnerships on the health and early childhood education of Lao children.
A key highlight of the visit was the observation of immunization activities implemented by the Ministry of Health and UNICEF with support from Australia. The delegation visited health centres in Xanxay district of Attapeu province where they witnessed the innovative use of tek teks (small tractors) by health workers. These vehicles help health workers traverse rough terrain, especially during the rainy season, to reach the remotest communities with life-saving vaccines, including routine vaccines for children and COVID-19 vaccines.
To date, 45 tek teks have been distributed to health centres across 16 provinces throughout Lao PDR, including Attapeu province, thus enhancing access to essential health services for children, women, and vulnerable communities.
In addition to providing these vehicles, Australia has also provided other support for Lao PDR’s vaccination programmes, exemplified by their recent funding of the successful nationwide Measles-Rubella campaign for children under five, implemented through UNICEF, across six provinces earlier this year.
Additionally, the visit highlighted the positive impact of the ‘Love and Care for Every Child’ programme, a parenting initiative supported by UNICEF Australia through the Australian NGO Cooperation Program (ANCP) and jointly implemented by the Lao Women’s Union and UNICEF. This programme is aimed at empowering parents and caregivers with the skills and knowledge to provide nurturing care and a stimulating environment that support children’s healthy development.
The delegation had the opportunity to meet the parents and caregivers benefitting from this initiative as well as observe training activities under the programme led by the Lao Women’s Union in Sanamxay district of Attapeu province.
The ‘Love and Care for Every Child’ programme has reached over 40,000 families spanning 518 villages across 14 districts in Lao PDR. Additionally, 2260 trainers under the programme are currently on the ground providing support to parents and caregivers.
