Psychiatry working group
Support for the establishment of basic psychiatric care in Laos
Psychiatry is the latest field of activity of our organization. In autumn 2018, the Ministry of Health invited the Swiss Laos Hospital Project to submit proposals for cooperation in the field of mental health and thus make a contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) of the World Health Organization (WHO) in this area. Since 2019, a team of psychiatrists and child and adolescent psychiatrists has been working to build up psychiatric expertise in Laos.
So far, assignments have taken place in the Mental Health Unit of Mahosot Hospital in Vientiane, Xieng Khouang Provincial Hospital in Phonsavan, Champasak Provincial Hospital in Pakse and the Children’s Hospital in Vientiane. In the near future, we are planning to train interested staff in a basic module on psychiatry in most of the provincial hospitals.
Current situation of psychiatry in Laos
The incidence and prevalence of mental illnesses in Laos is comparable to that of neighboring countries. In addition, during our visits we observed a large number of previously undiagnosed disorders such as addictions (amphetamines, cocaine, etc.), ADHD, problems dealing with electronic media or problems caused by rapidly changing living conditions with the erosion of traditional family structures, particularly in urban areas.
There is virtually no medical and nursing care for the mentally ill in Laos. There is a blatant and observable lack of psychiatric care. In Laos, there is only one psychiatric clinic at Mahosot Hospital, consisting of four beds and a small outpatient clinic. The Swiss Laos Hospital Project is therefore supporting a project for the establishment of basic psychiatric care.
Our approach to building psychiatric expertise
Our measures take effect at various levels:
At the strategic level, we support the Department of Non-Communicable Diseases of the Ministry of Health in planning national organizational measures as well as in developing specialized personnel.
At the level of center hospitals, we support the Mental Health Unit of Mahosot Hospital in Vientiane to develop its psychiatric expertise through practical and theoretical training. Child and Adolescent Psychiatry supports the Children’s Hospital in Vientiane with regular online training sessions and on-site training and teaching.
At the provincial level, we conduct further training, workshops and bedside teaching for doctors and nurses in provincial hospitals.
On the level of individual support, we finance the further training of an interested and talented assistant doctor to become a specialist in psychiatry and psychotherapy with a scholarship in Thailand.
Activities so far
Conferences in psychiatry and mental health
We held a Conference Day on Psychiatry and Mental Health at Mahosot Hosptital in Vientiane three times already. More than 100 doctors, nurses and students have attended each time.
Workshops on «Basics in Psychiatry»
Every year, we hold three-day workshops to share basic knowledge including interviewing, diagnosis, diagnostics and treatment strategies at the Mental Health Unit of Mahosot Hospital in Vientiane, Xieng Khouang Provincial Hospital in Phonsavan, Champasak Provincial Hospital in Pakse and Children’s Hospital in Vientiane. 20 to 40 doctors and nurses take part in each of these workshops.
Bedside teaching with direct instruction
During visits to hospitals and clinics, we conduct direct conversations – supported by translation – with patients and their relatives. We support the attending doctors and nurses in the development and implementation of treatment strategies.
Online trainings
Child and adolescent psychiatry offers regular online training sessions with the staff of the Children’s Hospital in Vientiane.
Scholarships
In summer 2025, a doctor from Mahosot Hospital will begin his further training as a specialist in psychiatry and psychotherapy in Thailand. This will enable us to build up knowledge and expertise directly on site at the center hospital, initiate sustainable development and ensure knowledge transfer.
Our working group
Our specialist group currently consists of a team of specialists in psychiatry and psychotherapy from various psychiatric clinics and private practices in Switzerland, as well as specialists in child and adolescent psychiatry from the Psychiatric University Hospital Zurich. We volunteer 2 to 3 weeks per year in the Swiss Laos Hospital Project.