On 27 April 2026, at the Ministry of Health, Dr. Phayvanh Keopaseuth, Vice Minister of Health and Chair of the Country Coordinating Mechanism (CCM), graciously received a courtesy call from Mr. Stefan Stojanovik, Senior Fund Portfolio Manager, and his delegation from the Global Fund.
Key Objectives of the Visit
The Global Fund Country Team’s working visit to Lao PDR (21 April – 3 May 2026) was conducted with the following primary objectives:
• Strategic Preparation: To consult and review priorities for the upcoming funding request under Grant Cycle 8 (GC8).
• Progress Review: To participate in the Mid-Term Review of the HANSA 2 Programme and assess the effectiveness of integrated service delivery.
• Implementation Monitoring: To follow up on the progress of ongoing GC7 budget utilization.
Health Vision and Priorities
On this occasion, Dr. Phayvanh Keopaseuth reaffirmed the Lao PDR’s commitment to building a strong and sustainable national health system. Key priorities highlighted include:
• Service Decentralization: Expanding ARV drug services and tuberculosis testing to the community level, including district hospitals and health centers.
• Program Integration: Integrating the three-disease response (HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria) into the national health system.
• Sustainability: Strengthening the role of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and increasing government participation in co-financing.
In closing, the Vice Minister expressed sincere appreciation to the Global Fund for its continued and consistent support to the Lao PDR. He expressed confidence that the outcomes of this collaborative working visit will contribute to the most effective and context-appropriate programme design for the GC8 cycle, ultimately advancing the goal of ending the three diseases in the future.
