Experts call on gov't to ensure well-being of citizens
Experts have encouraged the Lao government to reduce social and economic inequities and find ways to ensure the well-being of the country's citizens by establishing strong policies regarding population issues.
Lao and overseas experts delivered the message yesterday at a ceremony held at Mahosot Hospital in Vientiane to mark the day the global population is estimated to have reached 7 billion people.
“Reducing inequities and finding ways to ensure the well-being of people alive today, as well as the generations that follow, will require the commitment and planning of today's leaders,” said United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Officer-in-Charge Ms Della Sherratt.
According to the UNFPA, a world of 7 billion people poses many challenges and countless opportunities to make a positive difference, and has implications for sustainability, urbanisation, access to health services, and youth empowerment.
In Laos, the current population is about 6.3 million, of which 60 percent are aged below 25 years, which represents a good opportunity for the country.
Ms Sherratt suggested the government maximise the benefits of such a golden opportunity by investing more in human potential development, especially in healthcare.
She said it is a challenge to meet the needs of young people in terms of reproductive and general healthcare, employment and well-being, as well as to reduce gender inequality to ensure both men and women fully participate in the country's development.
Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Mr Somchith Inthamit said that, to serve as the nation's driving power for development, young people need to be healthy, educated, skilled and employed. To this end, the government's 7th National Socio-Economic Development Plan has allocated 35 percent of the state budget to the social sector.
To achieve the Millennium Development Goals, especially Nos. 1, 4, and 5, the government has made efforts to improve the health of mothers and infants by implementing the Maternal Newborn Child Health and Nutrition p ackage and free delivery services.
Deputy Minister of Health Associate Professor Dr Som Ock Kingsada said, for a child to be born healthy, it is crucial that good nutrition is part of pregnancy and that a pregnant mother has access to antenatal care services, skilled birth attendants and post-birth services.
According to the UNFPA, the world population reached 7 billion on October 31 and is expected to reach 9 billion in 2050 and 10 billion late this century.
“ We will face further hardship if we don't have good planning, so we should identify our direction with sound plans in all sectors at all levels. People of all ethnic groups should also take responsibility and actively participate so we can lead the country to prosperity,” said Mr Somchith.
