Health professionals and representatives from KDCA and Hanyang University College of Medicine pose for a group photo after the annual workshop hospital-based sentinel site surveillance in Vientiane on January 14.

Republic of Korea collaborates with Laos to strengthen public health emergency response preparedness

The Strengthening Health Emergencies Preparedness and Enhancing Response to Disease Outbreak (SHEPERD) Project, supported by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) and executed by Hanyang University College of Medicine, has been aiding public health advancements in Laos in collaboration with the Ministry of Health (MOH) since 2022.
SHEPERD aims to enhance health emergency preparedness and strengthen response capacity for disease outbreaks in the Mekong region. The project also prioritises improving infectious disease information-sharing between Korea and Laos, strengthening surveillance and response capacities, and fortifying national laboratory systems.
As part of the project, hospital-based sentinel site surveillance for acute febrile illness (AFI) and acute gastroenteritis (AGE) has been operational since early 2024. This initiative is designed to enhance the capacity to identify the pathogens responsible for these significant syndromes using molecular techniques for patients in Vientiane Capital.
The review of progress and discussions on improvements in implementing the surveillance programme took place during an annual workshop on Hospital-Based Sentinel Site Surveillance, held at the Lao Plaza Hotel in Vientiane on 14 January.
The event brought together healthcare professionals from eight participating hospitals and health centres, Ministry of Health officials, and representatives from KDCA and Hanyang University College of Medicine.
The workshop began with opening remarks by the Director of the Division of Global Health Security at KDCA, Ms Jia Lee; the Deputy Director of the Department of Communicable Disease Control, Dr Viengsavanh Kittiphong; and the Director General of the National Centre for Laboratory and Epidemiology, Dr Bouaphan Khamphaphongphane.
Ms Lee highlighted KDCA’s commitment to supporting Laos in building resilient infectious disease surveillance systems and promoting collaborative efforts to enhance public health outcomes.
In the morning session, the National Centre for Laboratory and Epidemiology presented the 2024 surveillance results for AGE and AFI, followed by best practice sharing from sentinel sites, including Mahosot Hospital, Hadxafong District Hospital, and Ban Hom Health Centre.
The afternoon session focused on the 2025 activity plan, updates to case reporting forms and surveillance protocols, and a review of the 2024 Sentinel Site Health Facility Survey.
Participants discussed successes, areas for improvement, and strategies to strengthen collaboration and surveillance effectiveness.
In her closing remarks, the Project Manager of SHEPERD at Hanyang University College of Medicine, Professor Sung Hye Kim, emphasised the importance of continued collaboration to address future infectious disease threats.
“The SHEPERD Project reflects KDCA’s dedication to fostering partnerships that strengthen public health systems and ensure sustainable progress,” she said.
This gathering of experts and officials highlights the ongoing commitment to advancing public health outcomes and improving surveillance systems in Laos, ultimately aiming to enhance overall health outcomes for communities and beyond.

By Advertorial Desk
 (Latest Update January 17, 2025)