The new GeneXpert has been welcomed in Pakxan

Our GeneXpert’s long journey from France to Laos has come to an end: After arriving in Vientiane, processing through customs and being calibrated at the National TB Laboratory, the machine has now made its way to Pakxan. It will be part of the Provincial capital’s new hospital and help advance TB diagnostics in Bolikhamxay. The Province was not equipped with this technology before. Sputum samples had to be sent to Vientiane Capital for GeneXpert diagnosis, or be examined through sputum smear microscopy which is less reliable. Now, Bolikhamxay is Laos’ 13th Province out of 18 to have a GeneXpert.

From left to right: Dr Khampeth, National TB Centre, Dr Bounyang, Director of Pakxan Hospital, Inger Damkjaer, Country Representative HPP Laos

Representatives from the German Embassy and LuxDev as well as Hospital and HPP Laos staff took part

The GeneXpert was warmly received in a ceremony attended by Dr Bounyang, Director of the Hospital, Dr Khampeth from the National TB Centre, and Inger Damkjaer, Country Representative of HPP Laos. Representatives of the German Embassy in Vientiane and LuxDev also participated in the festivities as they donated funds for HPP Laos to purchase the equipment.

The GeneXpert will now be part of the hospital's laboratory and make TB diagnostics quicker and more reliable

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