What should we do to encourage Lao people to access basic sanitation facilities and main good hygiene?

According to statistics, one in two households still lack basic sanitation facilities, and two in three children drink contaminated water, with a high level of bacteria, especially Escherichia coli. Good hygiene practices will improve the nutritional health of children and help reduce the current 50 percent skinny rate ratio. Vientiane Times asked people for their views on this crucial issue.

Mr Siphan Duangmala, a government official of Luang Prabang province:
I do feel that everyone needs to be better educated about health issues, especially women during pregnancy and after giving birth. The public should have more information about the best ways to care for their health. Even though doctors give advice on how to care for their health, especially to mothers with infants, such advice is often not heeded. I have seen many people in rural areas consume water from ponds or streams that are not safe to drink and they also eat raw meat that is high-risk and could be contaminated with Escherichia coli. This is something that Lao people have always done, so it’s a huge challenge to change this practice. Lao people definitely need to be better informed about health issues and childcare. And everyone should have better access to sanitation, healthcare, and hygiene so that they do not fall ill or die unnecessarily.   

Ms Phoy Soukleuxay, an employee in Vientiane:
First of all, we need to improve the services on offer at health centres. In addition, there are many villages that still lack access to clean water. Many also do not have access to proper healthcare services and do not understand the importance of good nutrition, sanitation, or hygiene which adversely affects the health of mothers and their children. If we want to reduce this nutritional difference, health workers need to provide more information about hygiene and ensure that all people have adequate access to health services.   

Ms Noy Phetmixay, a resident of Vientiane:
I think it is quite difficult to resolve this issue because there are many factors involved. Many people cannot access healthcare because of geographic remoteness. They also do not have access to clean water and face a lack of transport facilities. All of these are obstacles that prevent people from taking care of themselves during an illness, pregnancy, or post-natal care. If the government can ease these problems, I am sure the mortality rate will drop and people will be more healthy and lend positive energy to our country.

Ms Bounmy Xayyasith, a government official in Luang Prabang province:
In order to improve the situation, there are many things that the authorities need to address urgently, especially providing correct information and improving the knowledge and skills of personnel dedicated to health services. Almost all people in remote areas work hard, especially women. During pregnancy, women do not have access to proper healthcare and do not understand the importance of good nutrition, which adversely affects the health of the mother and the foetus. If we want to improve their lives we need to provide basic sanitation facilities and proper hygiene. Health workers need to stress the importance of hygiene for these women.

By Lamphone Pasanthong
(Latest Update May 6, 2022)