Hanoi (VNA)– Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam has suggested Vietnam and Laos step upmedical cooperation with more diverse and effective activities in the timeahead to match with the special solidarity between the two countries.

The VietnameseGovernment and people always create favourable conditions for cooperationprogramme and activities between Vietnam and Laos in all fields, including healthcare,Deputy PM Dam said while receiving Lao Health Minister Bounkong Syhavong inHanoi on June 26.

The Deputy PM notedwith pleasure the outcomes of bilateral medical cooperation over the past time,particularly in medical education, training, check-ups and treatment. 

The Vietnamese andLao Ministries of Health should review collaboration achievements and put fortha specific plan for closer cooperation in the coming time, he said. 

Deputy PM Dam alsounderscored the need for the two sides to instruct relevant units in buildingand operating the Vietnam-Laos Friendship Hospitals in Houaphan and XiengKhouang provinces. 

He urged the twocountries to promptly finalise a health cooperation agreement in a bid tofacilitate medical quarantine at border gates, thus contributing to fullyimplementing the “one-stop” model. 

For his part, MinisterSyhavong briefed his host on issues discussed by leaders of the HealthMinistries to boost and expand medical ties. 
Accordingly, the twosides will focus their collaboration in medical check-ups, training, pharmaceuticalproduction and food hygiene management, he said.  

Annually, health centres in 11 Vietnameseprovinces that border Laos receive thousands of Lao patients for treatment. Eleven Vietnamese medical institutions and a number of leading Vietnamesehospitals have provided training courses for Lao doctors and medical staff.-VNA