Mekong Institute (MI), in partnership with the Ministries of Health of Cambodia and Lao PDR and Fuwai Hospital of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, has officially launched the first Regional Training-of-Trainers (ToT) Program under the Mekong Children’s Heart Care (MCHC) Project.
Held from 8–12 December 2025 in Vientiane and Luang Prabang, Lao PDR, the ToT convenes 25 medical professionals and project staff from Cambodia and Lao PDR to strengthen national and regional capacities in congenital heart disease (CHD) screening, diagnosis, and project management. This milestone program marks the first major regional capacity-building activity of the MCHC Project, which aims to scale up early detection and expand access to minimally invasive treatment for children with CHD in both countries.
From 8–10 December, participants undertake intensive classroom-based training in Vientiane, focusing on standardized clinical protocols, diagnostic techniques, and cascade training methodologies. This is followed by hands-on, school-based CHD screening in Luang Prabang on 11–12 December, where participants apply newly acquired skills in real-world settings. Upon completion, participants will return to their home institutions to conduct cascade trainings, extending the program’s impact and strengthening national pediatric cardiac care systems in Cambodia and Lao PDR.
Supported by the Government of China through the Global Development and South–South Cooperation Fund, the program introduces advanced and innovative techniques, including Fuwai Hospital’s radiation-free PAN procedure, while placing strong emphasis on practical, experience-based learning.
“This program reflects the importance of regional cooperation and a shared commitment to improving children’s health,” said Ms. Guohua Liu, MI Project Director. “By working together, we are not only strengthening Lancang–Mekong cooperation, but also contributing to the implementation of the Global Development Initiative and accelerating progress toward the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development—ensuring that no child is left behind.”
“Fuwai Hospital is honored to collaborate with Cambodia, Lao PDR, and Mekong Institute to advance early detection and expand access to quality pediatric cardiac care,” said Dr. Duo Lin of Fuwai Hospital.
The ToT establishes a long-term regional learning platform by developing a core pool of national trainers who will play a critical role in strengthening referral networks, improving monitoring systems, and expanding pediatric cardiac care capacity across the Mekong region.
As the MCHC Project advances toward full implementation, MI, the Ministries of Health of Cambodia and Lao PDR, and Fuwai Hospital reaffirm their shared commitment to ensuring that all children have the opportunity to grow up healthy and thrive.
