Lao PDR: Modernizing healthcare infrastructure: UNOPS and Ministry of Health upgrade Mittaphab Hospital.

Country: Lao People’s Democratic Republic (the) Source: UNOPS Please refer to the attached file. Today, a special handover ceremony was held at Mittaphab Hospital to officially transfer newly completed medical facilities, critical safety infrastructure, and improved living conditions to the hospital administration, staff, and patients. Funded by the Russian Federation and implemented by UNOPS in partnership with the Ministry of Health of Lao PDR, this project marks a transformative leap forward for healthcare delivery in Vientiane. The hospital has officially taken over the newly rehabilitated left wing, delivering modern clinical departments across the ground and first floors. This includes four newly refurbished operating theaters featuring a state-of-the-art sterile ventilation system to ensure a safer environment for complex surgeries. Additionally, a new, large operating theater is now operational within the Emergency Department to provide critical emergency response capacity. Upgraded Outpatient Departments on the second and third floors of the right wing also now offer patients a more comfortable and hygienic environment for consultations and treatments. “This progress is the result of close collaboration between four key parties, UNOPS, the Embassy of the Russian Federation, the Ministry of Health Committee, and Mittaphab Hospital. All parties have fulfilled their responsibilities with high accountability through regular coordination and reporting, ” said Dr. Sonexay Rajvong, Director of Mittaphab Hospital. Vital new infrastructure has also been handed over to ensure the hospital remains safe, resilient, and efficient. A newly commissioned medical gas plant provides consistent, high-quality oxygen, medical air, and vacuum gases directly to critical areas like the operating theaters, intensive care unit, and emergency rooms. This significantly boosts safety by eliminating the need to maneuver heavy oxygen cylinders through the wards. Power resilience has been guaranteed through the installation of a new 1000 kVA transformer, a 1000 kVA backup generator, and a main electrical distribution system. Furthermore, a new water and firefighting system is now operational, increasing the safety of all occupants. “Our joint efforts, together with UNOPS, are making a meaningful contribution to socio-economic development and improving people’s lives, and we remain committed to further strengthening this cooperation for the future, ” said H. E. Mr. Sergei Zhestkii, Ambassador of the Russian Federation to the Lao PDR. Prioritizing daily dignity and staff welfare, the project successfully completed and handed over a New Toilet Building. This facility drastically improves sanitation in the hospital right wing by providing modern, separate bathrooms and showers for staff and patients, dedicated assisted bathrooms on every floor, and a new lift specifically designed for waste management. Beyond the clinical spaces, newly renovated staff dormitories were also handed over, allowing 64 families of hospital staff to move into decent living conditions located conveniently next to the hospital. “I would like to highlight the strong spirit of collaboration and problem-solving demonstrated by all partners in reaching this important stage of the project”, said Mr. Pierre Yves Jousseaume, Senior Project Manager at UNOPS. “UNOPS remains fully committed to delivering impactful infrastructure that supports the future of Lao PDR. With 11 months of work remaining, we are confident that this project will make a meaningful contribution to improving healthcare services across the country. ”

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