Chinese medical team to Laos returns home after anti-COVID-19 mission

A Chinese medical expert team sent to assist Laos in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic at the request of the Lao government arrived in Vientiane, Laos, on May 4. 

After accomplishing its mission, the medical expert team set off for home on May 18. Chinese Ambassador to Laos Jiang Zaidong and Lao Minister of Health Bounfeng Phoummalysith saw the medical experts off at the airport. Prior to this, Jiang had exchanges with the expert team. Wang Jiankun, the team leader, introduced the work the Chinese experts have done.

First, the team established a cooperation and coordination mechanism with the Lao anti-pandemic departments to fully understand the local anti-virus policies and the situation of the pandemic.

Second, the experts visited key institutions under the central government of Laos, provinces including Luang Prabang, Oudomxay, LouangNamtha and Bokéo, and the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone for on-site surveys, and put forward targeted scientific prevention and control suggestions.

Third, it gave training on COVID-19 prevention and treatment to improve the capabilities of Lao medical staff and other anti-pandemic workers.

Fourth, the experts provided specific suggestions for pandemic prevention and control and helped the Lao side improve COVID-19 prevention, control and treatment plans.

Fifth, they guided local hospitals in optimizing diagnosis and treatment procedures and enhancing their treatment capabilities.

In addition, the team also provided anti-virus training and guidance at cooperation projects such as the China-Laos railway.

Jiang fully affirmed the work the expert team had accomplished, noting that it is in the spirit of a community with a shared future that the Chinese government made a swift decision to dispatch a medical team to assist Laos in combating COVID-19. Southwest China's Yunnan province established the team with 25 experienced medical experts within a short period.

He expressed heartfelt thanks to all of the experts who overcame difficulties and braved the summer heat to accomplish the assistance tasks, and said that they have contributed to China-Laos friendship with practical actions.

In less than half a month, he added, the expert team held more than 10 symposiums, visited more than 40 front-line institutions, held over 20 professional trainings, and formulated 13 specific suggestions on COVID-19 prevention, control, diagnosis and treatment, which played an important role in Laos’ fight against the pandemic.

The expert team also travelled long distances and carried out in-depth investigations in four northern provinces, and once continuously drove for 10 hours on the rugged mountain roads, which fully demonstrates perseverance and a hard-working spirit, and greatly contributes to domestic COVID-19 prevention and control, he said.

Keeping the mission in mind, the expert team strove to fulfill the people-oriented diplomatic purpose. The experts conducted several trainings on pandemic prevention and treatment for Chinese institutions, Chinese people and overseas Chinese in Laos and provided medical guidance at construction sites of major cooperation projects, he said, stressing that all of these efforts have developed confidence in Laos’ fight against the outbreak and deserve sincere respect.

Jiang said that this year is the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Laos as well as the China-Laos Friendship Year, emphasizing that the development of China-Laos relations is facing new circumstances and new opportunities. Yunnan enjoys special geographical advantages and has always been a trailblazer and mainstay in China-Laos collaboration, which has been showed in this medical assistance.

He spoke highly of the medical team's assistance to Laos and said that endeavors will, as always, be made to facilitate the cooperation between Yunnan and Laos and to make new and greater joint contributions to deepening the traditional friendship between China and Laos and promoting the building of a China-Laos community with a shared future.