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Doctors Hail Success in Treatment of Breast Cancer

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Laos has seen success in the treatment of women with breast cancer this year, using a new method called neutrino-medicine, raising hopes of reducing the high mortality rate from this disease.

The neutrino-medicine method has been used by experts from the Lao Breast Cancer Association at Mahosot Hospital since the end of 2015, Director General of Mahosot Hospital, Associate Prof. Dr Bounthaphany Bounxouei, said.

President of the Lao Breast Cancer Association, Dr Saifone Phounsavan, spoke to Vientiane Times on Saturday at an event to mark Breast Cancer Awareness Day on October 25.

He said that in 2016, more than 100 women who presented with symptoms of breast cancer were still alive after being treated with the new method, while one woman had died.

Using older methods of treatment, he said, out of 100 women who presented with symptoms of breast cancer, about 50 women would die because the disease spread very quickly. It took a long time to make a definitive diagnosis and frequently women with the disease died before it was even detected, he added.

Research into the neutrino-medicine method began in 2000 when experts from the Lao Breast Cancer Association teamed up with specialists from medical schools in China and the United States.

We studied the examination, treatment and prevention of breast cancer, including examination and treatment using the old method, Dr Saifone said.

He added that based on 16 years of experience in the field of breast cancer in the world and at Mahosot Hospital, he could confirm that the neutrino-medicine method lowered the risk of mortality.

Associate Prof. Dr Bounthaphany, a key researcher in the method said tests to date had shown that most women with breast cancer survived the disease, which is usually fatal.

The disease can be so aggressive that if women don’t receive treatment promptly they can die within one week or one month of diagnosis, he added.

He said the new method would play an important role in helping to improve the detection and treatment of cancer. The main benefit is the improved detection of tissue abnormalities, so that suspicious areas are more quickly identified.

The success of this new method was confirmed by the results of research undertaken at several universities.

According to the Lao Breast Cancer Association, in January and February this year, some 420 women in Laos presented with abnormalities in the breast, indicating probable breast cancer. Of this number, 38 survived after being treated using the new method.

From 2000 to 2016, breast cancer was detected in about 1,500 women in Laos, of whom 100 women are still living.

Worldwide, about 500,000 women die from breast cancer each year, with women in the 45-50 age group being particularly at risk.

 

Source: Vientiane Times

UK-ASEAN Conference Highlights Value of Innovation

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Higher education is the main driver in a knowledge-based economy and universities play a major role in creating a skilled labour force capable of using effective modern communication technologies and results from research.

Minister of Education and Sports Ms Sengdeuane Lachanthaboun highlighted the importance of universities in her opening remarks at the first UK-ASEAN Innovation Conference, held in Vientiane from October 25-26.

The conference also marked the 20th anniversary of the National University of Laos and the 50th anniversary of Aston University in the United Kingdom.

Ms Sengdeuane, who chaired the meeting, said the conference would not only offer many opportunities to establish new collaboration and initiatives in higher education, but would also widen and deepen the academic ties and cooperation between universities in ASEAN member states, the UK and other countries.

These areas are interlinked with educational practices. If we take a look at the conference programme, we will agree that this conference is going to be busy and productive, she said.

The gathering brought together academic scientists, researchers, scholars, innovators and policy makers from across ASEAN, Republic of Korea, the US, UK, Australia and the EU, to exchange and share their knowledge, experiences and research results regarding all aspects of innovation and entrepreneurship.

The conference focused on research issues, new developments, and practical challenges encountered and the solutions adopted in the field of innovation and entrepreneurship, as well as emerging issues of this field in the ASEAN region.

The forum created a platform for policy makers, administrators, scholars, and researchers to present research findings and share expertise and experiences in the areas of innovation, entrepreneurship, research and development, technology management and intellectual property.

Acting President of the National University of Laos Prof. Dr Somsy Nhophanxay said the meeting would help to forge strong academic ties and cooperation and deepen mutual understanding among academia, scholars, researchers, partners and parties in the fields of innovation.

I am positive and certain that more research findings as well as issues and challenges in our research cooperation in the area of innovation shared and presented by the presenters and representatives will be analysed and discussed, he said.

Attendees heard the latest research on how best to develop and commercialise opportunities and diffuse innovation in a rapidly developing market environment.

The conference also explored new linkages between innovation and regional and national economic development, the institutional, political and economic conditions for driving national innovation as well as strategies for innovation at the micro level.

 

Source: Vientiane Times

USAID Funds Project to Monitor HIV Prevalence

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Laos has a concentrated HIV epidemic compared to other countries, with the prevalence of HIV still at a low level in key groups.

But risk behaviours threaten to increase the prevalence of HIV transmission amongst the population so the National Centre for HIV/AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Infections has worked to monitor activities through the Linkages across the Continuum of HIV Services for Key Populations Affected by HIV (LINKAGES) project.

The one-year project, costing an estimated US$400,000, is supported by USAID and will be implemented in Vientiane, in addition to the provinces of Savannakhet and Champassak.

The centre’s Director, Dr Bounpheng Philavong, spoke about the project after he signed an agreement with the Family Health International’s (FHI 360) Regional Director of LINKAGES for Thailand and Laos, Dr Stephen Mills.

Deputy Minister of Health Dr Phouthone Moungpak and other senior officials witnessed the signing of the agreement.

In his opening remarks at the signing ceremony, Dr Bounpheng said the project will be managed by the centre with technical support from FHI 360 and will focus on the development of more effective and sustainable systems to reach, test, treat and retain in services members of key affected populations facing HIV infection risks.

The project will use the HIV cascade of services as the overall strategic framework for its implementation.

The HIV cascade illustrates how individuals should ideally move through the continuum of HIV prevention-treatment-care-support services to reduce HIV transmission as well as to ensure a high quality of life for people living with HIV.

Dr Bounpheng noted that the project will also support the centre and provincial committee for the control of AIDS in each targeted province by implementing the HIV intervention programme for men who have sex with men and transgender people.

He said the HIV cascade emphasises the intervention stages of reach, test, treat and retain as key steps to ensure long-term antiretroviral treatment adherence that results in a low viral load.

The end goal a of low viral load among people living with HIV is the hallmark of treatment as prevention.

For people who are HIV-negative, the HIV cascade stresses the importance of primary prevention; this entails consistent use of condoms and regular, repeated HIV testing, Dr Bounpheng said. Both of these behaviours continue to be major challenges in both Laos and across the globe.

Many countries have yet to implement these innovations and so multiple countries in the Asia region, including Thailand where I am based, are looking to Laos to see how oral fluid screening works and how it can help to increase HIV testing among key populations, Dr Mills said.

Dr Mills emphasised that FHI 360 looks forward to continue to work together with Laos as new drugs, technologies and behavioural strategies are developed to prevent HIV/AIDS and care for those who are already infected with the virus.

The most recent integrated biological and behavioural surveillance survey among men who have sex with men in 2014 revealed an HIV prevalence of 1.8 percent in Vientiane, 0.8 percent in Savannakhet, and 0.3 percent in Champassak, according to the centre.

 

Source: Vientiane Times

Ending Malnutrition Key to Sustainable Development

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5 year Adao has his MUAC measured at CARE's Nutrition Enhancement Project in Balibo, Timor Leste. (c) Josh Estey.

Achieving food security and improved nutrition is key to sustainable and fair development in Laos.

This was the message conveyed yesterday by Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Dr Kikeo Chanthaboury during a meeting to launch the Strategic Review on Food and Nutrition Security in Laos. Working together, all sectors can achieve Sustainable Development Goal 2 (SDG2), which is to end hunger, achieve food security, improve nutrition, and promote sustainable and promote sustainable agriculture, he said.

What emerges clearly from this review is the need for an integrated and coordinated approach at all levels. Working together, we can achieve a Laos where every man, woman and child has the food and nutrition they need to lead a healthy and productive life, said Dr Kikeo, who chaired the meeting.

Led by a team of national and international experts, in collaboration with the ministry, and guided by inputs from stakeholders across the country, the review is the first comprehensive assessment of what it will take to achieve SDG2. This study gives an expansive and holistic overview of food and nutrition security in Laos, said a rural development specialist with more than 20 years of experience, Dr Lilao Bouapao, who is in charge of the review.

It is our hope that it will be a practical and useful reference guide for all partners as we embark on the journey to meet the Sustainable Development Goals. Over the past 10 months, representatives from the Ministry of Planning and Investment, Dr Lilao, and four experts in food and nutrition security, climate change, social protection and gender have been working to review existing studies and to consult with a wide range of stakeholders.

The team held meetings with 49 key partners in Vientiane, led consultations in 17 provinces across the country taking in the viewpoints of more than 500 people, and visited Vietnam to learn how that country achieved food and nutrition security.

The review provides an opportunity to understand Laos’ priorities for government and development partners to engage and contribute towards the country’s graduation to Middle Income Country status and achievement of national SDG targets. The review also puts forth recommendations on the way forward over the next 15 years in order to meet the ambitious Sustainable Development Goal 2 targets. The review confirms that positive gains related to food and nutrition security have been made in a number of sectors including policy leadership, economic growth, poverty reduction, and overall food availability.

However, it notes that challenges remain, particularly chronic malnutrition which stands at nearly 36 percent.

The report was commissioned by the United Nations’ World Food Programme (WFP) and was carried out by independent experts to foster a shared understanding of the food security and nutrition situation in Laos, and align the plans of the government and its partners to achieve SDG2, according to a joint statement.

The launch event was co-chaired by the WFP Director of Programme and Policy in Rome Mr Stanlake Samkange and United Nations Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative to Laos Ms Kaarina Immonen, in the presence of WFP Country Director Ms Sarah Gordon-Gibson, other representatives and various stakeholders.

 

Source: Vientiane Times

Commission Consults on Child Rights Convention

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The National Commission for Mothers and Children and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) yesterday organised a consultation workshop to review and provide input into a draft of the 3rd to 6th state Convention on the Rights of Child report.

The workshop in Vientiane reported that the government is progressing well in the development of the report on the implementation of the United Nations Convention of the Rights of the Child.

The draft report reflects the achievements made by the government as well as the commitments in promoting and protecting the rights and interests of Lao children.

Laos acceded to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) in 1991, and has made significant progress in the upholding children’s rights.

The CRC has been incorporated into national law and policies establishing a basic legal framework for child protection including the Law on Juvenile Criminal Procedures, the adoption decree, and a new law on preventing and combating violence against women and children.

National strategies and plans of action that take into account the provisions of the convention have been developed in the areas of inclusive education, nutrition and violence and will also be reported as the government is striving towards achieving the 8th National Socio-Economic Development Plan and Sustainable Development Goals.

The workshop yesterday reviewed and provided comments on the content of the report to ensure it covers all the concerns and recommendations of key stakeholders.

The participatory and consultative process includes the government, key development partners such as the European Union and Australian government along with international NGOs including Save the Children, World Vision, Child Fund, and Village Focus International.

Deputy Prime Minister Dr Sonexay Siphandone, who is in charge of National Commission for Mothers and Children affairs, and UNICEF Representative Ms Hongwei Gao attended the workshop.

In her speech, Ms Hongwei Gao said Laos had achieved the Millennium Development Goals targets on poverty reduction, universal access to primary education, gender parity in primary education, maternal mortality reductions, and access to water and sanitation though there were some targets that remained unmet such as child nutrition and primary school completion. However, significant progress had been made recently on stunting reduction and school completion rates.

She said all the achievements as well as planned interventions should be reflected in the State CRC report to refresh commitment to the protection of the rights and interests of children.

 

Source: Vientiane Times

Speak More Loudly, Whistleblowers Urged

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Although public complaints have provided an important channel to learn about and help address corruption, the government needs to boost informants’ confidence so they are more forthcoming.

That was the message from the State Inspection and Anti-Corruption Authority (SIAA) and other public and private sectors at a seminar held yesterday in Vientiane to share national, regional and international experience on corruption complaints.

SIAA’s Complaints and Requests Resolution Department Director, Mr. Vila Chithoublok, said We have received public complaints, the majority of which come from so-called good citizens, who have been unnamed.

For example, we received a complaint about the embezzlement of state money by some Huaphan provincial finance officials from the Department of Education and Sports, who were prosecuted under the law, Mr. Vila added.

Complaints about maladministration and corruption are submitted through complaint boxes located in various government agencies and departments.

In his opening remarks at the meeting, SIAA Vice President Mr. Vilayvanh Boutdakham said corruption was a harmful activity that caused great loss to the public interest and was an obstacle to development. He noted the government had been strengthening anti-corruption measures through the development and amendment of legislation and improving organisational mechanisms.

Mr. Vilayvanh said the practice of handling complaints and petitions was defined by law, notably the Law on Handling Petitions, and this had led to successful anti-corruption activities.

According to an official from the National Assembly (NA), 80 percent of public complaints raised through the NA’s telephone hotline provided factual information on corruption activities.

A representative from the Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry told the meeting about the case of a Chamber member who ran a transport business. Government officials stopped and checked all of his vehicles but failed to check other vehicles travelling on the same road.

This happened after he had highlighted misconduct involving government officials.

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime gave the view that although levels of corruption are reportedly high, few complaints are made. Authorities believe there is a need to improve communication between citizens and businesses on the one hand and competent authorities in receiving corruption reports on the other.

A seminar participant from a non-government organisation suggested the need for a clear process concerning government practices against corrupt officials to build people’s confidence and trust in government action.

He said he heard about officials being punished for embezzlement, but did not know what punishment they received.

 

Source: Vientiane Times

Parliament Calls for Full Revenue Collection

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National Assembly (NA) members have called for the government to do more to seek new revenue sources and fully collect revenue following last fiscal year’s revenue shortfall despite there being numerous income generating sources.

Members of parliament put forward the requirement when debating the government’s proposal to revise the next four-year National Socio-economic Development Plan (2017-2020) that seeks to lower economic growth targets following last fiscal year’s failure to meet the growth target.

In the fiscal year that ended in September, only about 95 percent of the targeted revenue of 23.7 trillion kip was collected. The government is also asking parliament to lower the annual economic growth target from at least 7.5 to 7.2 percent.

NA members agreed that many new enterprises had been registered with the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, but revenue recollected by the Ministry of Finance was far short of the potential.

I noted that there have been considerable increases in new registrations with the Ministry of Industry and Commerce but the taxes collected by the Ministry of Finance are probably less than 50 percent [of the potential], NA member for Xayaboury province Mr. Chattava Keokhamphet said.

He recommended that the government, specifically the finance ministry, carry out a survey to identify revenue sources.

The NA member called for the government to specify the proportion of loans and credit issued by various banks to determine whether appropriate amounts were released to promote production, especially the promotion of micro, small and medium enterprises.

NA member for Luang Prabang province, Saysamone Khomthavong, noted that many businesses had submitted fake reports of losses or minimal profit to avoid or minimise tax payments, asking the government to do more to address this issue.

NA member for Vientiane province, Ms Bouavanh Thammavong, called for the government to do more to promote commercial-scale production by making it easier for farmers and agro-businesses to access finance, along with teaching farmers about animal husbandry and crop cultivation.

Many NA members suggested the government work harder to help farmers find markets.

Ms Bouavanh said the government should build more schools in rural communities and find ways to keep students in school after learning that many school-aged children abandon their schools, notably girls.

Although it has been proposed that growth targets be lowered, a National Assembly member for Vientiane, Dr Saysomphone Phomvihane, said it was a good idea to focus more on the quality and sustainability of growth.

He asked the government to specify what factors will drive growth, suggesting that growth should be boosted by sustainable factors.

Growth should be associated with addressing social issues including creating jobs, he said.

He noted that previous growth was driven by unsustainable factors such as mega projects, but once these projects were phased out in the last two or three years growth was impacted.

 

Source: Vientiane Times

Laos Fest Showcases Philippine Cinema

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Laotian Times
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The 7th Luang Prabang Film Festival has lined up a special program of movies from the Philippines for its annual event, which will be held in Laos from Dec. 2 to 7.

Dubbed Spotlight, the section will showcase the “exciting and rapid developments” in the Philippine movie industry, according to organizers.

Included in the Spotlight lineup are Brillante Ma. Mendoza’s “Ma’ Rosa,” Mario Cornejo’s “Apocalypse Child,” Dan Villegas’ “#Walang Forever” and Ralston Jover’s “Hamog.”

Apart from screenings, a whole day will be devoted to discussions on Philippine movies. The Luang Prabang fest not only serves as “a celebration of Southeast Asian cinema,” it has also evolved into a “unique forum for regional filmmakers to network internationally.”

The films in the program were “carefully selected by experts and critics,” with the goal of featuring each country’s “finest contemporary films” and highlighting “the strongest voices” from across the Southeast Asian region.

Scenic Luang Prabang, the royal capital of Laos until 1975, is renowned for its Buddhist temples, some dating back to the 16th century.

Written by: Bayani San Diego Jr.

Source: Inquirer.net

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