Covering an area of more than 4,000sq.m, the infirmary has 20 beds, five functional rooms, numerous medical equipment to serve the examination and treatment for patients, such as ultrasound and electrocardiogram (ECG) recording machines.
    |
 |
|
A doctor of Laksao Infirmary gives medical examination to a Lao person. |
Recently, Saly Kha, an 8-year-old daughter of Taphong in Nape hamlet, Khamkheut district, Borikhamxay province was sick and had a high fever. Though Taphong invited a shaman to ward off evil spirits for 3 days and nights, his daughter’s condition worsened. She felt into a state of convulsions and coma.
Knowing that, the infirmary’s doctors teamed with local officials to encourage Taphong to bring the girl to the infirmary for treatment. Luckily, on receiving febrifuge and medication in a timely manner, the child was not in the critical condition.
Thanking the infirmary’s doctors for treatment for the daughter, Taphong touchingly said that “From now on, I will not trust the words of the witches and shamans anymore.”
That is one of the various cases that Lao people have been given first aid and treated in a timely manner by doctors of Laksao Infirmary, resulting in their lives saved.
According to doctor Le Van Dinh, head of the infirmary, the infirmary is located in a remote area with underdeveloped economic and difficult transportation conditions. Most of the local people are Lao ethnic people. In the area, many unsound customs and superstitions are still in practice while locals have not had access to modern medical services.
For nearly 23 years of operation in Laos, the doctors and nurses of the infirmary have always taken care of and had a strong attachment to the patients. Last year alone, the infirmary examined and treated 2,598 patients, including 1,034 Lao policy beneficiaries and poor people, giving them a chance to get access to modern and free medical examination and treatment services provided by the unit.
Laksao Infirmary was established on December 29, 1999 under an agreement signed by the two countries. Located in Phonpheng hamlet, Khamkheut district, the infirmary is tasked with providing medical examination and treatment to cadres and employees of the corporation who have duties of production, business, and mass mobilization in Laos and to Laotian cadres and people as well. Therefore, during its operation, the infirmary always puts the goal of serving the patient first. That is the reason why it is trusted and loved by the local party committee, authority and Lao people.
Head of Phonpheng village Khamman said that in the past, whenever a local got sick, they often hire a shaman to ward off evil spirits, costing much and harming themselves. However, since the launch of the infirmary, the doctors have disseminated information to raise the locals’ awareness that has helped change their minds about unsound customs, superstitions and made them get closer to modern healthcare services.
Khamman added that the infirmary has held various programs to provide free check-ups, health counselling, medicines to poor people and assisted locals in COVID-19 prevention and control. “The infirmary has created peace of mind for local people when suffering from illnesses, diseases, accidents, contributing to the improvement of local health care and quality of life,” Khamman said.
Translated by Mai Huong