Development Strategies and Policies:
Economic and Political Impact of Foreign Aid in the Lao People’s Democratic
Republic
March 26, 2005
Waterfront Activity Center
University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
By
Phoumy B. Bounkeua, PA-C, PhD
Medical Provider
VA Puget Sound Healthcare System – Seattle Division
Clinical Instructor, School of Medicine, University of Washington
Primary Care Provider, International Community Health Services
Abstract
Lao People Democratic Republic (PDR) is one of the poorest countries in the world. Most of the 6.6 million
people (2004) live in scattered villages, practicing subsistence activities. The health care system has
remained seriously underdeveloped during the past decade duet to lack of finance. There are
approximately 800 physicians and 9800 hospital beds for 4.8 millions Laotians. Underutilization of health
care facilities in many areas is resulted from lack of access, manpower, available equipment, drugs and
supplies. The village people are not able to access health care facilities due to long distances between the
villages and the city and provincial hospitals. An even greater majority of the people has no proper
sanitation. Defecation in open areas increases the problem of environmental and water pollution. The
most prevalent diseases of infants and children are those spread by the water-related insect vectors and
environmental contamination. These include malaria, dengue fever, diarrhea diseases, parasitic infections
and skin and eye infections. Primary care is almost nonexistent in some parts of the country. Most medical
conditions that are common causes of mortality and serious morbidity such as malaria, tuberculosis,
diarrhea and respiratory infection, could be treated effectively by primary care providers in the villages if they
were available. The author is a Laotian American healthcare professional trained in America. He has a
very strong believe that health care should be ideally available to all, and has the desire to assist the Lao
PDR’s Ministry of Health in the development of a primary health care program, to achieve this end. Dr.
Bounkeua will present his narrative report of the observations of the current Lao PDR Health Care System,
made during a multiple visit to Vientiane, Luang Prabang and Savannakhet, Lao DPR.
All views and opinions expressed herein reflect those of the author alone and do not by any means
represent those of nor endorsed by the symposium's organizing committee and its sponsors.
