Laos Purchases New Fleet of Ambulances to Assist in Fight Against Covid-19

[ASEAN NOW]

 

As the Covid-19 outbreak expands, the Ministry of Health has handed out fifty more ambulances to hospitals around the country to help with patient transportation.

The fifty ambulances, which Laos purchased with the help of an Asian Development Bank (ADB) loan, have been delivered to hospitals in 11 provinces as well as the capital, Vientiane.

 

The ambulances will be used to transport both Covid and general patients across the country, according to Deputy Minister of Health Dr. Sanong Thongsana.

 

“Due to a paucity of ambulance vehicles, Laos has had trouble getting patients to hospitals in distant locations. According to Dr. Sanong, this has resulted in an upsurge in hospital deaths.

 

Dr. Sanong Thongsana, Deputy Minister of Health, gave the ambulances to a representative from each provincial department of health in Vientiane Capital yesterday.

 

Meanwhile, the Japanese government will give the Ministry of Health with another 81 ambulances, which will be dispersed to provincial hospitals and community health centers across the country.