Social development
Cause of high anemia rate among women still a mystery
The astonishingly high rate of anemia among adult women in Cambodia has for years been a major health concern, but the main cause of the problem—long believed to be iron deficiency—is still a mystery, according to a study released last week. Frank Wieringa, the study’s author, ...
Asean professional women's forum tackles tourism issues
A networking forum for women professionals active in South-East Asia’s tourism and travel sector was held in Vientiane on 13 June. More than a hundred female tourism professionals from across the region attended the forum which continues today to identify ways to develop aspects of their ...
Universal health cover still a challenge
While economic growth and poverty reduction has been impressive, health outcomes improved and Millennium Development Goals 4, 5, 6 and 7 are on tract; Universal Health Coverage is still a major challenge. The symposium was held on 13 June in Vientiane and also attended by President of ...
Facebook racks up 10m Myanmar users
The world’s most popular social network, Facebook, has made millions of new “friends” in Myanmar over the last few years. In that time, the site has played the part of nationwide news outlet, emergency relief coordinator and community water cooler – but it has also provided ...
Amid turmoil, EU calls for review of aid to Cambodia
The European Parliament on Thursday passed a resolution accusing the Cambodian government of laying politically motivated charges against the opposition and calling for aid cuts if its respect for human rights fails to improve—a loud echo of a resolution it passed just six months ago. “Today, ...
New meat processing factory to boost food safety
The Lao Fresh Meats factory at Sivilay village in Naxaithong district, Vientiane, a Hungarian government assistance project, aims to boost food safety standards for domestic supply and export. Recently, the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry received the first phase support of a Tied Aid Loan ...
Draft regulatory framework for healthcare professionals needed in Laos
Laos will need a draft regulatory framework to ensure proper licensing among healthcare professionals aimed at assuring the quality of healthcare treatment across the country, officials say. Director Cabinet of the Ministry of Health, DrNaoBoutta said on 9 June during a meeting in Vientiane that a draft ...
Value of dam-affected homes being assessed
Officials have started to assess properties in Oddar Meanchey that will be flooded by an under construction dam, though the affected villagers remain in the dark about possible compensation. Eight officers from the Ministry of Finance and the province’s water resources department were in Chongkal district’s ...
Thailand eliminates mother-to-child transmission of HIV
The World Health Organization announced on 8 June that Thailand has become the first Asian country to eliminate mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis. Elimination of transmission is defined as a reduction of transmission to such a low level that it no longer constitutes a public health ...
Laos, Hungary continue education cooperation
Laos and Hungary will pursue an educational cooperation programme for the next three years after reaching an agreement recently. The related agreement on the educational cooperation programme was signed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs MrSaleumxay Kommasith and Hungary’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade MrPéter ...