Senior ministry officials and invited guests gather at the launch of the new partnership.

United States launches new partnership in Health and Governance Strengthening to Improve Maternal and Child Health and Nutrition in Laos through CONNECT Initiative

Laos and the United States launched a new partnership on Wednesday, aiming to improve maternal and child health and nutrition by helping to strengthen Laos’ health and governance systems through the CONNECT initiative.
The United States is launching the new partnership in Health and Governance Strengthening to Improve Maternal and Child Health and Nutrition in Laos through the CONNECT Initiative, together with the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Home Affairs, USAID, and WHO.
The partnership will expand CONNECT to five new provinces Phongsaly, Oudomxay, Savannakhet, Saravan and Xekong, following the initiative’s deployment to more than 259 communities across 10 provinces to date.
The initiative  is being implemented with development assistance from the United States through USAID, with an intention to fund US$10 million over five years.
The United States is proud to partner with the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Home Affairs, and WHO to invest in a healthier future for the people of the Lao PDR,” said US Chargéd’ Affaires Outlaw.
“This partnership reflects our long-standing commitment to supporting the Lao PDR’s development and improving the lives of all its citizens.  We believe strong governance sits at the centre of good health and strong communities.  We are excited to see the CONNECT initiative expand to more locations, with strong healthy outcomes extending across the country, at all levels.
The USAID support will facilitate governance strengthening at the community level for better service coordination and delivery, and will further integrate maternal and child health services, including immunisation and nutrition, to achieve key health targets to improve the quality of healthcare services at the provincial and community levels. 
CONNECT is a Ministry of Health and Ministry of Home Affairs-led initiative, supported by WHO, that aims to increase access to essential healthcare services such as vaccination and maternal and child care by strengthening primary health care as a core pathway to achieve universal health coverage.
The initiative focuses on building trust between healthcare providers and communities; working closely with local leaders to strengthen local governance, planning, and coordination; and enhancing governance structures to institutionalise and sustain this initiative.
Speaking at the launch ceremony, Minister of Health Dr Bounfeng Phoummalaysith said “Strengthening governance in our communities is like nurturing the roots of a tree – the healthier they are, the stronger the branches.”
Each member of a village community, local officials, mass organisation representatives, nurses and doctors, and ethnic and religious leaders will be supported to build a strong community together.
“By empowering communities and local stakeholders to own health outcomes, we build trust and responsibility and make the best use of existing resources. This generous support from USAID will do just that, progressing local governance at the community level, and ensuring health grows strong for all,” Dr Bounfeng said.
Minister of Home Affairs Dr Thongchanh Manixay said a key focus of the ministry is building stronger communities. “Healthcare stands out as crucial for enhancing the living standards and quality of life of our people.”
“I am happy to report that the CONNECT initiative has been a unique approach to help us achieve this aim, in a new way, with strong results.”
“We look forward to its expansion, and we are delighted that by working to prioritise health we can improve governance and boost healthcare quality and utilisation and, in turn, use this as an entry point for local development.”
US Chargéd’Affaires Ms Michelle Y. Outlaw said “This partnership reflects our long-standing commitment to supporting Laos’ development and improving the lives of all its citizens.  We believe strong governance sits at the centre of good health and strong communities.”
“We are excited to see the CONNECT initiative expand to more locations, with strong healthy outcomes extending across the country, at all levels.”
WHO Acting Representative to the Lao PDR, Dr Tim Armstrong, said “This new partnership builds on our strong collaboration and will ensure that quality services reach everyone in Laos in an equitable manner and that underserved communities are better supported.”

By Times Reporters
 (Latest Update April 25, 2024)