What is your opinion of the nursing profession in Laos?

Tomorrow is International Nurses’ Day. Nurses are important because they are often the first healthcare professionals that patients meet. They are educators, counsellors and a resource for the family, using their skills to care for the sick. So it’s important that Lao nurses try to raise their standards to match those in other countries. Vientiane Times asked some local residents for their thoughts on the standard of nursing in Laos. 

Mr Sophon Manivanh, a government official in Vientiane: Doctors and nurses are very important because everyone needs them at some point in their life. Compared with other countries, the quality of nursing in Laos is still far behind, but I think our nurses can raise their standards if they receive proper education and attend training courses to improve their skills. They should also be trained to use modern technology in patient treatment. It would be good if our nurses were more diligent about improving their skills and give more consideration to the ethics of their profession because they are responsible for the treatment of patients and hold their lives in their hands.
 
Ms Bualoy Thammavong, a student at the University of Health Sciences: I like this job because nursing is an honourable profession, and nurses are the heart and soul of the healthcare system. Everyone needs a nurse when they get sick. If we compare our system of working to that of other countries, we are still far behind because we don’t have enough equipment and nurses and doctors here are not highly skilled. It’s very important that we improve our education system so that we learn a lot more and get more experience of treatment methods. Students should go out into the field, and not only study in the classroom, because they can learn more this way. If possible, they should spend time in hospitals so they get hands-on experience of actual nursing practice.
 
Ms Phouvong Phonsavath, a government official in Sisattanak district: I don’t know much about nursing standards but I have a few things to say about nursing services and medical treatment in Laos. I think our nurses are quite nice and seem to be doing their best with limited resources. But in general, nurses should spend as much time with their patients as they can. I know nurses in Laos might be underpaid, so they should not expect handouts, but this practice is unethical and places the families of the poorest patients in a very difficult position. I think the authorities should increase the salary and allowances paid to nurses, especially those working in rural areas.
 
Ms Chansai, an employee in Xaythany district: Nurses spend more time with their patients than doctors do. Nurses should understand that their job is to help people and they should try to do everything to make patients feel better, with regard to both their health and feelings. But sometimes nurses are lacking in this regard. I know nursing is hard but a good nurse must always display patience and talk to sick people kindly, even when they don’t follow instructions. They should be careful about how they talk to patients and provide the best possible treatment. In addition, I advise anyone who wants to be a nurse or a doctor to think first as to whether they are kindhearted enough for this job and whether they have the necessary patience.

By Lamphone Pasanthong
(Latest Update May 11, 2022)