Table 1 Evolution and chronology of HRH and related issues in the development of a licensing and registration in Lao People’s Democratic Republic
Year | Main policies, strategies, and legislation of the licensing system for health care professionals | Description |
|---|---|---|
2005, Dec | Law on Health Care (No. 09/NA/2005) [12] | ◆The first law that determined the principles, regulations, and measures relating to the organization, activities, management, and control of health care activities. |
◆It defines 16 categories of health care professionals and states the associated requirements and responsibilities. | ||
◆The role of the Healthcare Professional Council was specified as the “secretariat for the Ministry of Health in administering the activities of health care professionals.” | ||
2006, Dec | ASEAN MRA on Nursing Services [19] | Recognition, qualifications, and eligibility of foreign nurses were agreed upon by member states. |
2007, Jan | Ministerial Agreement on the Healthcare Professional Council (No. 033/MOH/2007) [24] | ◆The sub-regulation stipulates the details of Article 58 of the Law on Health Care; Rights and duties of the Healthcare Professional Council. |
◆ Article 2: The responsibility of the Medical Professionals Council | ||
The Healthcare Professional Council has to be the representative for the Minister: | ||
- To register certificates of those who wish to work as health care practitioners | ||
- To consider professional qualifications of health care professional applicants and bring to the Council committee meeting | ||
- To propose to the Minister of Health the official approval of health care professional certificates | ||
- To propose to the Minister of Health the approval of health care practices for foreign health care workers | ||
- To inspect the implementation of medical ethics and regulations to health care practitioners, particularly prohibited conduct as mentioned in Articles 36 to 43 of the Law on Healthcare | ||
- To supervise and inspect the continuing professional development of health care professionals | ||
2007, Feb | Ministerial Agreement on Organize Health care Professional Council (No. 303/MOH/2007) [25] | According to the agreement on the organization of the Healthcare Professional Council, the Minister designates the membership of the Council, including the Chairperson, Vice Chairpersons, Commissioners, Secretary-General, and Vice Secretary. |
2009, Feb | ASEAN MRA on Medical Practitioners [20] | Recognition, qualifications, and eligibility of foreign medical practitioners and so on were agreed upon by member states. |
ASEAN MRA on Dental Practitioners [21] | Recognition, qualifications, eligibility of foreign dental practitioners and so on were agreed upon by member states. | |
2011, Oct | The VIIth 5-Year Health Sector Development Plan (2011–2015) [39] | ◆The 5-year plan aims to provide a clear road map for achieving MDGs and improving the health of the Lao people. |
◆Upgrading the staff’s level in terms of quality and quantity, in line with the Health Personnel Development Strategy, is planned under the Program of Human Resource Development. | ||
2011, Nov | Health Personnel Development Strategy by 2020 (No. 831/MOH, Sep 28, 2010) [23] | ◆The 10-year strategy aims to develop sufficient number of qualified health care personnel. It consists of the following 5 pillars: (1) health personnel capacity building, (2) utilization of health personnel, (3) health personnel management, (4) equity and equality of opportunity, and (5) health personnel incentives. |
◆Capacity development of the Healthcare Professional Council toward the realization of a licensing and registration system for health care professionals is targeted. | ||
2012 | Health Sector Reform Framework Laos 2013–2025 [16] | ◆Health sector reform is a process concerning the approaches applied to improve the delivery of health services through existing systems in order to achieve the desired outcome of reaching MDG targets in Phase I (2013–2015) and will contribute to and shape the reform process to achieve UHC in Phases II (2013–2015) and III (2021–2025). |
◆Priority areas are as follows: (1) human resources for health; (2) health financing; (3) governance, management, and coordination; (4) health service delivery; and (5) hospital management and health information systems. | ||
◆A licensing system, continuing professional development, and capacity development of professional councils are 1 of the objectives. | ||
◆- Phase I (2013–2015): aims to achieve MDGs and develop a solid foundation for the following phases. | ||
- Phase II (2016–2020): aims to ensure that essential health services of reasonably good quality are accessible and can be utilized by a majority of the population. | ||
- Phase III (2021–2025): aims to achieve UHC. | ||
2012, Jan | Ministerial Agreement on the Stationing of New Graduates in Rural Areas (No. 103/MOH/23, Jan, 2012) [31] | 3 years of compulsory service in a rural area is recommended for civil servant candidates in order to be eligible for the licensing examination. |
2013, Mar | Ministerial Agreement on the Organization and Activities of Department of Health Care (No. 695/MOH, 19/Mar/2013) [26] | The Office of Healthcare Professionals was established in the Department of Health Care of the MOH to support the activities of the Healthcare Professional Council. |
2013, Jun | Ministerial Agreement on National Competency for Licensed Nurses in Lao People’s Democratic Republic (No. 1132/MOH, 6 Jun. 2013) [27] | The 9 necessary competency domains and indicators for licensed nurses are defined. |
2014, Apr | Decree on Private Hospitals (No. 151/Gov, 28 Apr. 2014) [22] | Holding a health care professional certificate is conditional for health workers who work at a private hospital. |
2014, Oct | Revised Curriculum for Higher Diploma Nursing Program, based on nursing competencies [30] | The competencies are integrated in each relevant subject of the higher diploma nursing program (3 years). |
2014, Dec | Law on Health Care (amended) (No. 58/NA/2014) [32] | Working experience more than 3 years, passed examinations, and a nomination from the Healthcare Professional Council were newly defined conditions for health care professionals. |
2015, Jan | Ministerial Agreement on Medical Doctor Competencies (No. 095/MOH, 14 Jan. 2015) [28] | The necessary competencies for medical doctors are defined and expected to be integrated into the educational curriculum. |
2015, Jan | Ministerial Agreement on Dentist Competencies (No. 095/MOH, 14 Jan. 2015) [29] | The necessary competencies for dentists are defined and expected to be integrated into the educational curriculum. |
2015, Jan | The VIIIth 5-Year Health Sector Development Plan (2016–2020) (MOH/2015) [33] | A project for developing the licensing system for health care professionals is currently planned, and the necessary budget is under request. |
2015, Dec | Strategy on Healthcare Professional Licensing and Registration System in Lao People’s Democratic Republic 2016–2025 (No. 2098/MOH, 3 Dec. 2015) [23] | The 10-year strategy for developing the licensing system specifies its goals, objectives, targets, prioritized actions, and framework. |