By Dr Amy Gray, Centre for International Child Health, University of Melbourne
In the Lao People’s Democratic Republic a group of child health experts met recently to discuss the next steps for improving hospital care for sick children in their country. The work discussed at this meeting dates back to 2009. Then key paediatricians, in collaboration with the Centre for International Child Health at the University of Melbourne and the World Health Organization, began translating the WHO Pocketbook of Hospital Care for Children – creating the first comprehensive Lao language guidelines for paediatric hospital care.
Previously many doctors graduated medical school without owning a medical text. If hospitals owned any books they were often in Thai, French or English and often inaccessible under lock and key. Now it is a common sight to see hospital staff on paediatric wards flicking through the Pocketbook to check recommended treatments. Medical students sit between classes reading and discussing its contents. And this change has happened in just a few years.
Staff at Bokeo Provinical Hospital after receiving their Pocketbooks. Photo: Dr Chansouk Chatana
