Laos, China partner in treatment of cardiovascular disease

Laos and China have agreed to step up cooperation in the field of cardiovascular disease at Mahosot Hospital with the signing of an agreement on Tuesday by the hospital’s Director General Dr Phisit Phoutsavath and Deputy Director of the Fuwai Yunnan cardiovascular hospital in China, Dr Ma Linkkun.
The agreement will pave the way for the improvement of the diagnosis and treatment of heart conditions in Laos. 
Cardiovascular disease is a general term for conditions affecting the heart or blood vessels. It is usually associated with a build-up of fatty deposits inside the arteries and an increased risk of blood clots.
It can also be associated with damage to arteries in organs such as the brain, heart, kidneys, and eyes. Cardiovascular disease is one of the main causes of death and disability.
The planned cooperation with China will strengthen Lao doctors’ ability to operate on the heart and blood vessels of Lao patients and treat heart conditions in children through the use of specialised equipment.
Speaking at the agreement signing ceremony, Dr Phisit said health cooperation plays an important role in strengthening human resources in the field of cardiovascular disease.
It will also enable the improvement of healthcare facilities in general and improve health services through higher quality treatment and the use of technical innovations by medical staff at Mahosot Hospital. 
Dr Phisit said that for a number of years the government had used a considerable portion of its budget for the development of the health sector.
“We believe this latest development will respond to public demand in line with government policy by providing the highest quality of screening, early detection of heart disease, and effective treatment for the best results,” he said.
Improved treatment for heart conditions was needed because the incidence of cardiac disease was increasing each year, he said. He noted that the country’s deficiency in the field was the reason why so many people crossed the border for advice and treatment.

By Phetphoxay Sengpaseuth
(Latest Update April 26, 2019)