Healthcare in Laos

Healthcare in Laos is steadily improving, with the government making significant progress towards universal health coverage. Despite the ongoing improvements, the Laotian public healthcare system is still considered underdeveloped, and most expats will opt for private or international healthcare options instead.

Health insurance in Laos

Public health insurance schemes in Laos apply to different income groups, depending on whether beneficiaries are civil servants, state or private employees, informal workers, or belong to low-income households. These programmes cover only a small part of the country's population, and are affected by underfunding and mismanagement.

Most expats choose private, international insurance that enables emergency medical treatment in neighbouring Thailand or further abroad.

Public healthcare in Laos

Public healthcare facilities in Laos are situated almost exclusively in the main cities. As a result, a significant percentage of the population has no easy access to even basic care, often relying on aid workers and traditional medicine.

The Lao Ministry of Health is working on improving healthcare administration at provincial and district levels to empower local governments to better provide for their people. Although efforts to improve the system are ongoing, the standard of public healthcare in Laos remains significantly lower than what most expats are used to.

Private healthcare in Laos

In Vientiane, the French and Australian embassies operate their own paid medical services with well-trained doctors and good medical facilities. Additionally, many wealthier Laotians and expats go to Thailand for medical care. The Friendship Bridge connects the two countries and enables ambulances to move back and forth freely.

Pharmacies and medicines in Laos

Even though reputable pharmacies are available in Laos, it is a good idea to bring any chronic or prescription medicine with you from your home country, as local drugstores are not well regulated.

Some shop owners sell 'cure-all' packets with antibiotics, vitamins, and fever meds as single doses for a wide range of complaints. Laos also has issues with counterfeit pharmaceuticals, compounding the difficulty in finding good medicine.

Health hazards in Laos

There are several water- and vector-borne diseases to look out for in Laos, including typhoid, hepatitis A, dengue fever, malaria, and avian flu. These are especially prevalent during the rainy season. We recommend consulting a medical professional before leaving for Laos for up-to-date medical advice.

Tap water is not safe to drink in Laos, so home filtration systems are necessary. Collecting rainwater is also a viable way of generating safe drinking water. When eating out, err on the side of caution and avoid ordering drinks with ice cubes that may be made with untreated water.

Emergency services in Laos

Emergency telephone numbers are as follows:

• Fire: 1190
• Police: 1191
• Tourist police: 1192
• Ambulance: 1195

In the case of a medical emergency, it is unlikely that expats will reach an English-speaking operator, and if possible, they should call a private hospital to arrange medical transport. Most private insurers will provide an emergency number.