Lao PDR convenes its first High-Level Policy Dialogue on Artificial Intelligence in Health

15 July 2026

Media release

Vientiane, Lao PDR

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The Ministry of Health of the Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR), in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), convenes the country's first High-Level Policy Dialogue on Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Health, followed by technical workshops from 15–16 July 2026. Chaired by HE Dr Bounserth Keoprasith, Vice Minister of Health, and Dr Timothy Armstrong, WHO Representative to Lao PDR, the event brings together senior government leaders, technical experts, development partners and international specialists to explore how AI can be responsibly applied to strengthen the health system and improve health outcomes in Lao PDR.

Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming health systems around the world. For countries such as Lao PDR, AI presents an important opportunity to make better use of limited health resources by supporting health workers in planning and decision-making, improving the efficiency of disease surveillance, strengthening health information systems, and expanding access to quality health services. However, realizing these benefits requires strong governance, high-quality data, appropriate digital infrastructure, a skilled workforce, and careful consideration of ethics, privacy, and equity.

The High-Level Policy Dialogue focuses on the leadership, governance and policy considerations needed for the responsible adoption of AI in health. Following the dialogue, participants will engage in technical workshops to collectively explore practical applications, implementation considerations and regional experiences, while identifying priority use cases relevant to the Lao context.

^{© WHO/Soudaphone Viravongsa}

The series of events builds on Lao PDR's ongoing efforts to strengthen digital health and health information systems and reflects the shared commitment of the Ministry of Health and WHO to harness innovation in support of stronger primary health care, universal health coverage and better health outcomes for all.

"Like many countries, Lao PDR faces growing health needs and limited resources,” said HE Dr Bounserth Keoprasith, Vice Minister of Health. "Artificial intelligence offers new opportunities to improve the efficiency and quality of health services, strengthen primary health care and better support the routine work of our health workforce.”

The programme will also include field visits to Vangvieng District Hospital and Mahosot Hospital, providing an opportunity to engage with hospital managers and frontline health workers, assess digital health readiness, and identify practical opportunities and challenges for the responsible adoption of AI in routine health services.

"The real value of artificial intelligence lies in helping health workers make better decisions and enabling countries like Lao PDR to achieve more with limited resources,” said Dr Timothy Armstrong, WHO Representative to Lao PDR. “WHO is proud to support the Ministry of Health in building the governance, capacity and digital foundations needed for the responsible adoption of AI."

AI is not a replacement for health professionals, but a tool to support them. The dialogue aims to build a common understanding of what AI can do and cannot do among policy makers and healthcare professionals, promote responsible governance at national and institutional level, and identify practical use cases for AI to address priority areas and health indicators of the National Assembly while ensuring equity.