Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Health Nguyen Thanh Long and Lao Minister of Health Bounkong Syhavong have agreed to set up a connection system to provide technical assistance in the prevention and test of COVID-19, as well as treatment of patients.

Deputy Minister of Health Nguyen Thanh Long

During a teleconference on April 7, the officials also consented to propose the Viettel Military Industry and Telecoms Group (Viettel) to support a connection line for Laos, especially between hospitals of the two countries so that they can share experience and methods in treating COVID-19 infections.

Apart from a relief package given to Laos in early April, the Vietnamese Ministry of Health has also pledged to provide its Lao counterpart with additional medical equipment such as diagnostic tools, face masks, and protective clothing, Long said.

He added that although Vietnam has been damaged by the disease, the Ministry of Health still stays ready to offer all possible support to its Lao counterpart to push back the COVID-19 pandemic.

Bounkong, for his part, thanked the Vietnamese Government and people for their assistance, saying that it has been a major source of encouragement for the country in its fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.