On December 21, 2020, delegates from Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Thailand Office visited Khon Kaen University and the Faculty of Medicine to discuss further collaborative possibilities for capacity building the Emergency Medicine Network to support the implementation of a sustainable Emergency Care System in Lao PDR.

The JICA delegation was led by Mr. Yuasa Keiichiro, Senior Representative, and Mr. Shuchi Ikeda, JICA Expert dispatched to NIEM.  The KKU and Faculty of Medicine representatives were, Associate Professor Maitree Inprasitha, Vice President for Education and Academic Services, Assistant Professor Acharawan Topark-Ngarm, Assistant to the President for International Affairs, Associate Professor Somsak Tiamkao, Head, Department of Emergency Medicine, Dr. Jutarop Phetcharaburanin, Assistant Dean for Research and International Relation Affairs. The discussions were held at Meeting Room 2 (5203), 2nd floor, Wechwichakarn Building, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University.

The implementation of a sustainable Emergency Care Network in Laos PDR project is a joint project between Khon Kaen University Thailand, University of Tsukuba, Japan, and University of Health Science, Laos PDR, to improve emergency medical services in Lao PDR. The Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University is entrusted by the University of Tsukuba, Japan, and the University of Health Science, Lao PDR, to become the training center for emergency medical personal. Associate Professor Somsak Tiamkao, Head, Department of Emergency Medicine, is the project supervisor and evaluator for the Lao PDR doctors in training.  Already, 8 doctors whom have graduated from this training program in the Faculty of Medicine Khon Kaen University.

Written by: Natakon Naowarojna

International Relations Office, Research and International Relations Affairs

Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University