Health

Laos Gives Unlicensed Beauty Clinics Until November to Obtain Permits Amid Weak Oversight Concerns

The Ministry of Health has ordered unlicensed medical and beauty facilities across Laos to obtain official permits by 30 November, but the directive has raised questions over its delayed public release and how authorities will enforce the deadline. The Ministry issued the directive on 29 May but did not publicize...

Thailand’s HIV Cases Pass 550,000, Laos Reports Rising Infections Among Young People

Thailand has recorded 557,993 cumulative HIV cases, health authorities say, even as new infections...

Trendy ‘Squishy’ Toys Suspended in Laos Over Chemical Safety Concerns

Laos has ordered the immediate suspension of the import and sale of Squishy toys...

Former MRC Chief Anoulak Kittikhoun Named First Lao Head of Mekong Institute

Former Mekong River Commission (MRC) Chief Executive Officer Anoulak Kittikhoun has been appointed Executive...

Laos Turns to Public-Private Partnership to Tighten Product Quality Controls

Laos has launched a new state-backed company to inspect and certify the quality of...

Vientiane, Kunming Hospitals Partner to Boost Cardiac Care in Laos

On 26 May, Mahosot Hospital in Vientiane Capital renewed its partnership with Fuwai Cardiovascular Hospital of Kunming, China, to enhance cardiac care in Laos. The...

Laos Sees Huge Drop in Dengue Fever Cases in 2025

Laos reported a notable decrease in dengue fever infections this year, with just over 1,000 cases recorded so far, a sharp decline from more...

Thailand Sees Surge in COVID-19 Cases, With Over 91,000 in First Five Months

Thailand is witnessing a significant rise in COVID-19 infections in 2025, with health authorities reporting 91,448 cases and 24 deaths during the 20 weeks...

Shortfall in Blood Donations Prompts New Push in Schools for 2025

The Lao Red Cross is ramping up efforts to strengthen partnerships with schools and expand youth engagement in blood donation, following a shortfall in...

From Seed to Community: How Lao Tobacco Limited Partners with Lao Farmers

Across the provinces of northern and central Laos, Lao Tobacco Limited (LTL) is working on developing rural livelihoods through its LEAF Department, a division...

OP-ED: Honoring Lao Midwives, Heroes of Maternal Health

By Bounfeng Phoummalaysith, Minister of Health, Laos, and Bakhtiyor Kadyrov, UNFPA Representative in Laos. On 5 May, International Day of the Midwife, we come together...