New ways of looking into health and hygiene promotional activities in Lao PDR

Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) is one of the poorest countries in South-East Asia and is trying to move from a land-locked country to a land-linked country. Rural water supply, sanitation, health and hygiene promotion are principal focus areas for Lao PDR for her National Growth and Poverty Eradication Strategy. The National Centre for Environmental Health and Water Supply (commonly known as Nam Saat) is responsible for the rural water supply and sanitation (RWSS) sector in Lao PDR, which includes facilitating for planning and implementation of the RWSS programme. Many major steps have been taken to put forward the agenda. However, many more steps need to be taken. This paper briefly highlights the background of health and hygiene promotional activities in Lao PDR, including lessons learned on new ways of looking into health and hygiene promotional activities that have been undertaken in Lao PDR.