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Expat Exchange - Top Hospitals in Laos by Specialty 2024
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The Nam Song River in Vang Vieng, Laos


Top Hospitals in Laos by Specialty

By Joshua Wood, LPC

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Allianz Care

Summary: If you're moving to Laos or recently arrived, it's important to know about the country's top hospitals for specific medical conditions. Here's a primer.

Laos, a country with a developing healthcare system, offers a mix of public and private hospitals. Public hospitals provide basic healthcare services, but they may lack advanced medical technology and specialized care. Private hospitals, on the other hand, tend to offer higher quality services with more English-speaking staff, which can be more suitable for expats, international retirees, and digital nomads. However, for certain complex medical conditions and surgeries, the facilities and expertise in Laos might be limited. In such cases, expats and travelers often choose to seek treatment in neighboring countries like Thailand or return to their home countries for more specialized care.

Top Hospitals in Laos for Heart Surgery and Chronic Heart Conditions

For heart surgery and chronic heart conditions, Mahosot Hospital in Vientiane is one of the leading facilities in the country. It has a cardiology department that handles various heart-related issues. However, expats should be aware that for complex cardiac surgeries, options within Laos are limited, and seeking treatment abroad is common.

Best Hospitals in Laos for Cancer Care

The Wattana Hospital in Vientiane is known for providing care to cancer patients. It offers services such as chemotherapy and has specialists who can manage various types of cancer. Nonetheless, for advanced treatments like radiation therapy or specialized surgeries, patients may need to consider hospitals outside of Laos.

Leading Hospitals with Neonatal Intensive Care Units

Mother and Child Health Hospital in Vientiane is equipped with a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) to care for premature and critically ill newborns. This facility is one of the few in Laos that can provide such specialized neonatal care.

Top Hospitals in Laos for Diabetes Management

The Lao Friends Hospital for Children in Luang Prabang offers comprehensive care for various conditions, including diabetes. They provide treatment and education for managing diabetes, although expats may find more comprehensive care for complications of diabetes in neighboring countries.

Best Hospitals for Kidney Treatment and Care

Mahosot Hospital in Vientiane has a department of nephrology that deals with kidney-related issues. While they can manage common kidney conditions, for advanced treatments like dialysis or kidney transplants, options within Laos are very limited.

Top Hospitals in Laos for Neurology

Setthathirath Hospital in Vientiane is one of the hospitals with a neurology department capable of treating various neurological conditions. However, for specialized neurosurgical procedures or treatment of complex neurological disorders, facilities in Laos may not be adequate.

Best Hospitals for Stroke Treatment

Mittaphab Hospital, also known as the Friendship Hospital, located in Vientiane, is one of the main hospitals that provide care for stroke patients. They have facilities for acute management, but rehabilitation services may be limited compared to international standards.

Leading Hospitals for Orthopedic Surgery

The 103 Hospital in Vientiane is known for its orthopedic department, offering treatments for bone fractures and other musculoskeletal issues. However, for specialized orthopedic surgeries, patients often travel to Thailand for better facilities and expertise.

Top Hospitals in Laos for Pediatric Care

The Lao Friends Hospital for Children in Luang Prabang is dedicated to pediatric care, providing free medical treatment for children. It is well-regarded for its quality of care and is one of the best options for pediatric healthcare in Laos.

Expats living in Laos should have comprehensive health insurance that covers medical evacuation, as the need to seek specialized treatment abroad is a realistic possibility. It's also advisable to have a contingency plan for healthcare needs, especially for serious medical conditions that may require advanced care not available in Laos.

About the Author

Joshua Wood Joshua Wood, LPC joined Expat Exchange in 2000 and serves as one of its Co-Presidents. He is also one of the Founders of Digital Nomad Exchange. Prior to Expat Exchange, Joshua worked for NBC Cable (MSNBC and CNBC Primetime). Joshua has a BA from Syracuse and a Master's in Clinical and Counseling Psychology from Fairleigh Dickinson University. Mr. Wood is also a licensed counselor and psychotherapist.

Some of Joshua's articles include Pros and Cons of Living in Portugal, 10 Best Places to Live in Ireland and Pros and Cons of Living in Uruguay. Connect with Joshua on LinkedIn.


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The Nam Song River in Vang Vieng, Laos

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SJB Global is a top-rated financial advisory firm specializing in expat financial advice worldwide, offering retirement planning & tax-efficient solutions with a regressive fee model.
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