In times of crisis, Emergency Medical Teams (EMTs) play a critical role providing life-saving medical care. Responding to natural disasters, outbreaks and other public health emergencies, EMTs are at the frontline, ensuring rapid and effective life-saving support.

Recognizing their importance, WHO Lao PDR and the WHO Western Pacific Regional Office have been actively working to strengthen the Lao Emergency Medical Team, equipping healthcare workers with the necessary skills and equipment to respond to emergency events.

"In 2023 Lao PDR faced more than 30 acute public health events, demonstrating how essential it is to have a well-equipped and well-trained EMT ready to respond,” said WHO Health Emergency Team Lead Satoko Otsu. “With materials and training, WHO has proudly supported this hard-working team as they get established, and will continue to do so.”

^{Equipment provided by WHO includes essential items for the EMT to deploy a 50-patient-per-day ‘field clinic’ for at least 14 days, and independently maintain an appropriate level of emergency care.  Credit: WHO/Will Seal & WHO/Bart Verweij}

“When disasters strike in Lao PDR, rapid, skilled medical care is paramount to save lives,” continues WHO’s Dr Otsu. “To ensure affected communities receive timely support, it is essential that our national teams are equipped, trained, and ready to respond wherever and whenever they are needed.”

“EMT offers a critical surge capacity during disaster response,” said Dr. Sommana Rattana, Deputy Director of the Ministry’s Department of Healthcare and Rehabilitation (DHR). “Our role is to initiate and enhance EMT capabilities at both central and provincial levels to ensure prompt and effective responses to domestic disasters.”

With more than US$150 000 of WHO-funded equipment provided to enable and support EMT operations, the focus has now shifted to training and exercises to prepare for future crisis deployments. To date, more than 60 national and provincial health officials have been trained in Vientiane Capital, Savannakhet, Khammouan, Bokeo, Oudomxay, Luang Namtha and Phongsali provinces.

^{Lao PDR’s EMT planning and preparing for deployments.  Credit: WHO/Will Seal & WHO/Bart Verweij}

The sessions focus on practical exercises, with training covering use of emergency supplies and tools, preparing equipment for deployment, diverse crisis simulations, and patient management techniques, including triage and transport.

“The concept of Emergency Medical Teams is still new to many of our team, and the training was both exciting and challenging,” said Dr. Phetvilay Senavong, Head of the Emergency Unit at Savannakhet Provincial Hospital.

“The 2018 Attapeu Flood showed us the importance of a well-prepared EMT. With public health emergencies likely to increase – especially due to climate change – this training strengthened our readiness, teamwork, and communication. I’m proud to support affected communities during emergencies.”

Since medical school, I’ve always aspired to become an emergency doctor,” said Dr. Oulayvanh Phonesavanh, Head of Emergency Division at Mittaphab Hospital. “During crises and disasters, this team can play a critical role in saving lives - this training has equipped us with essential skills: readiness, strong coordination, and effective decision-making and has empowered us to respond more confidently and effectively to emergencies.”

^{Lao PDR’s EMT planning and preparing for deployments.  Credit: WHO/Will Seal & WHO/Bart Verweij}

Once fully trained, the EMT will be able to deploy nationwide, supported by provincial experts. The team includes healthcare workers such as doctors and nurses from emergency wards, pharmacists, and logisticians, who are equipped to provide essential medical care, paramedical support, logistics management, WASH support, emergency coordination and communication. By enhancing national and subnational response capacities, the EMT will play a critical role in strengthening Lao PDR’s overall health emergency preparedness and response.

“Coordination and prompt action are key to reducing negative impacts on health during emergencies,” said Dr Daovieng Douangvichit, Deputy Director General of the Ministry of Health’s Department of Cabinet, which oversees coordination for disasters. “We are working closely with the National Disaster Management Committee, as well as relevant departments and centres at both national and subnational levels, to ensure a cohesive and effective disaster response – with the EMT playing a crucial role.”

Preparing for and responding to emerging infectious diseases and public health emergencies is a priority for Lao PDR. Since the early 2000s, WHO has supported the country in responding to a range of public health events including outbreaks of COVID-19, novel avian influenza, dengue, anthrax, measles, diphtheria, as well as natural disasters and antimicrobial resistance (AMR).

Strengthening Lao PDR’s EMT is one of many health-security initiatives, driven in part by findings from Lao’s recent Joint External Evaluation. Working closely with the Ministry of Health,the aim is to ensure Lao PDR is well-prepared to handle current and future health emergencies.