EXPERTS FROM LANCANG-MEKONG COUNTRIES EXPLORE WAYS TO BOOST RURAL HEALTH WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

Agricultural Development and Commercialization ,Sustainable Energy and Environment

MI Headquarters, Khon Kaen, September 26, 2023 – To find ways to deliver better healthcare in rural areas in the Lancang-Mekong countries, MI organized a consultation workshop, which engaged experts from the China, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Viet Nam, and Thailand. With the support of the People’s Government of the People’s Republic of China (China), the event underscored the importance of having sufficient skilled healthcare workers in rural areas to improve healthcare services and reach universal health coverage in line with Sustainable Development Goal 3 – Good Health and Well-being.

The activity was the third and final workshop under MI’s project titled “Global Development Initiative (GDI) Leverages Sustainable Development in the Lancang-Mekong Region.” The project aims to support the broader aspirations of the GDI, among them is to build a resilient health system capable of coping with future public health crises and promoting health for all.

With the theme “Safeguarding Human Health,” the workshop gathered country-specific insights to comprehensively identify challenges, mechanisms, and strategies in terms of enhancing rural healthcare. Officials from each of the Lancang-Mekong countries’ Ministry of Public Health and research institutions participated in the consultation.

By looking into the specific needs of the region, the workshop facilitated the formulation of targeted capacity-building programs that aim to support and enable a robust healthcare workforce in Lancang-Mekong countries.

The workshop was structured into three sessions. The first session was led by Dr. Yunping Wang, Senior Research Fellow and Director of the Global Health Research Office of China’s National Health Development Research Center. Dr. Yunping highlighted China’s progress in health aid and cooperation with Mekong countries and other developing nations through the GDI, using illustrative cases to emphasize the GDI’s role in international cooperation.

Session 2 featured country experts discussing challenges, prospects, and ongoing initiatives related to rural health workforce development in their respective countries. Discussions and recommendations were aligned with the World Health Organization’s guidelines on health workforce development in rural and remote areas, focusing on four key aspects: education, regulation, incentives, and personal and professional support.

Concluding the consultation, a knowledge exchange session engaged participants in conversations about priority topics identified through a polling activity. These discussions focused on three areas: facilitating continuous education and attracting students from rural backgrounds to health programs, expanding healthcare occupations and technology deployment, and prioritizing career growth and workplace conditions for rural healthcare workers.

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Mrs. Guohua Liu

Director, Sustainable Energy & Environment (SEE) Department

Mrs. Liu Guohua is the Director of the Sustainable Energy and Environment Department at the Mekong Institute. Prior to this role, she worked in the Department of International Economic Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China, where she played a key role in shaping and implementing China’s cooperation strategies with UN development agencies. During this time, Mrs. Liu was actively involved in advancing initiatives related to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with a focus on climate change and green development. Additionally, she contributed to the evaluation of projects funded by various Chinese initiatives, such as the Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund, Lancang-Mekong Cooperation Special Fund, etc.

In addition to her work in the Department of International Economic Affairs, Mrs. Liu has an extensive diplomatic background. She spent 7 years in the Department of African Affairs, followed by a 4-year tenure at the Chinese Embassy in Lao PDR, where she gained deep expertise in both Southeast Asian and African affairs. These diverse experiences have played a crucial role in shaping her approach to sustainable development and international collaboration, particularly in building regional partnerships and tackling global challenges like climate change.

She holds a Master’s degree in Economics, with a specialization in Finance, from the Central University of Finance and Economics, and a Bachelor’s degree in Economics, specializing in International Economics and Trade, from the Shanghai University of International Business and Economics.