Dr Bounfeng Phoummalaysith, Minister of Health & Dr Timothy Armstrong, WHO Representative to Lao PDR
7 April 2025
This week we celebrate World Health Day and the founding of the World Health Organization. Since WHO was founded more than 75 years ago, it has continued its commitment to the highest attainable standard of health. Not as a luxury for some, but a right for all.
Achieving this and overcoming public health challenges requires science, solutions, solidarity – and doing so together.
Unfortunately, the world has continued to experience unprecedented health threats and will only continue to do so. Ensuring we are ready to prevent or respond to these is essential. Fortunately, through strong commitment, Lao PDR has continued to prove that overcoming massive health challenges is possible, while simultaneously continuing to improve its ability to do so.
Since collaboration began in 1950, WHO has supported the people of Lao PDR, and become the Ministry of Health’s longstanding partner on the nation’s path towards health for all.
This collaboration has seen threat of malaria almost eliminated. Cases here have fallen from an estimated 460 000 in 1997 to just 343 last year.
In 2000 Lao PDR officially eliminated polio, in 2023 the country successfully eliminated lymphatic filariasis, a debilitating, neglected tropical disease – and it is closing the gap on schistosomiasis and other communicable diseases.
The National Immunization Programme has expanded, introducing extra doses of measles and rubella and polio vaccines, and launching an HPV vaccine (now protecting over 90% of 10-year-old girls), providing children with stronger protection against these diseases.
Lao PDR has led the way on e-cigarette legislation, becoming one of 35 countries to block the tobacco industry’s latest attempt to reintroduce harmful and addictive products.
And importantly, progress has continued on improving health for mothers and children – an essential component in health. Data shows that from 2000 to 2023, the number of pregnant women who died per 100 000 live births dropped from 609 to 112 – a reduction of 81.6 percent – one of the fastest falling rates in the world.
Similarly, in 1978, a tragic 218 children under 5 years old of every 1,000 would pass away by the age of five. In 2023 following continued investments and prioritization, this has fallen to 28 – an enormous achievement.
While these milestones represent the tireless efforts of the government’s leadership, and efforts of health workers and officials behind the scenes at all levels, they also represent the outcome of sustained commitment and investment in health, both domestically and from a broad range of generous partners.
Most importantly, they also remind us that success is very much possible, which WHO is proud to have supported alongside other partners every step of the way.
But, we must continue to build on these achievements to ensure progress towards health for all. Lao PDR faces declining health budgets, rising costs, changes in the international development landscape, and emerging threats like climate change.
These and other challenges threaten future progress, and even risk losing progress in some areas.
Maternal and child health is an important example. While Lao PDR has made significant progress as mentioned, some goals are at risk. While under-five mortality is on-track to meet SDG targets, infant mortality remains behind target. The number of mothers surviving birth has improved, but progress is slowing. With limited availability of funding, progress is at risk and may even backslide.
Now more than ever is the time to accelerate progress and utilize the momentum achieved.
An investment in health is an investment in now and the future. Not only does investment in health equate to mothers, children, parents and family members’ lives saved, it ensures an increase in employment, income, productivity, equity, and women’s education and empowerment – all proven, essential factors for development.
The consequences of underfunding will be significant, impacting the availability, accessibility, and quality of healthcare services – and Lao PDR’s socio-economic development progress. But this scenario is not inevitable. Four key actions would sustain and build a stronger, healthier Lao PDR.
First, an appropriate national budget allocation to health as pledged at the National Assembly. To be sustainable, this should be direct government contributions, not donor contributions, as foreign aid is declining.
Second, we must focus on increasing revenue for things that matter by ensuring compliance of taxes on alcohol, tobacco and sugar-sweetened beverages, as well as eliminating tax exemptions and increasing taxes for these harmful products. This will be a win for government revenue and a win for reducing the burden of non-communicable diseases, and better health outcomes.
Third, development partners must sustain and increase funding to maintain essential health services. Indeed, we urge partners to consider Lao PDR for increased investment given the challenging economic and global situation.
Finally, ensuring an appropriately resourced WHO. Every dollar invested in WHO delivers a return of US$35. Full, sustainable funding of WHO will enable it to support Lao PDR to build healthier, stronger and more prosperous nation – and prevent and protect against future health threats.
These actions will require decisive action by many – they will deliver a truly significant return on investment.
During the pandemic, it was clear that a high-standard of health is essential to achieve national development goals – and the risk of underinvestment.
While the task may seem substantial, as we have seen across Lao PDR’s recent history, it can be done.
Authors
Dr Timothy Armstrong
WHO Representative to Lao People's Democratic Republic
Dr Bounfeng Phoummalaysith
Minister of Health