TİKA Provides Medical Equipment and Supplies to Laos Orthotic and Prosthetic Centers

The Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) has once again demonstrated Turkey’s role as the conscience of the world by providing substantial medical equipment and supplies to COPE (Cooperative Orthotic and Prosthetic Enterprise) Orthotic and Prosthetic Centers in Laos.

State-of-the-art medical devices and equipment produced in Turkey have been delivered to five COPE centers operating in Vientiane, Champasak, Luang Prabang, Savannakhet, and Xiengkhouang. In addition, TİKA has completed comprehensive renovation and furnishing works at the COPE service buildings in Vientiane.

Laos is among the countries most affected by unexploded ordnance due to 270 million cluster bombs dropped during the Secret War between 1964 and 1973. This has impacted thousands of lives, and even today, many Laotians lose limbs due to unexploded bombs. COPE provides free rehabilitation, treatment, and orthotic-prosthetic services to citizens who have lost limbs as a result of unexploded ordnance, birth defects, and accidents.

Since 2021, Turkey has provided various aid and technical support to assist those at risk from unexploded ordnance in their daily lives, workplaces, and schools. In 2021, within the scope of the “Disaster Early Warning and UXO Risk Education” project implemented by the Turkish Embassy in Vientiane in cooperation with UNDP, material deliveries and training programs were conducted in Sibunhuang village in Bolikhamsay province and Thuangse village in the southern Saravan province.

Thanks to TİKA’s support, COPE’s treatment capacity has grown significantly: in 2022, the center treated 720 patients per year; this increased to 1,486 patients in 2023 and 1,572 patients in 2024. The number of orthotic and prosthetic devices provided also more than doubled, from 826 in 2022 to 1,698 in 2023 and 1,807 in 2024.

This support from TİKA is a key step toward strengthening Laos’ healthcare infrastructure and enabling people with disabilities to participate more actively in society.

At the handover ceremony in Vientiane, Deputy Minister of Health of Laos, Aphone Visathep, said:”On behalf of the Ministry of Health, the Rehabilitation Medical Center, and the COPE Project, I am pleased to accept this support. The equipment provided will be used in rehabilitation efforts to deliver free services to disabled individuals nationwide. This project has increased access to high-quality prosthetic and orthotic devices for people with disabilities in Laos PDR.”

Turkish Ambassador to Vientiane, Oya Yazar, added:”Today’s handover demonstrates Turkey’s commitment to the welfare and health progress of the Lao PDR and its people. Turkey implements projects with Lao authorities not only in health but also in education, agriculture, disaster management, infrastructure, UXO and victim support, women empowerment, human resource development, and vocational training. Turkey has always stood by Laos on its development path and remains determined to continue.

In terms of per capita humanitarian aid, Turkey is proud to be the world’s largest and most generous donor. The Ministry of Health of Laos and COPE play a vital role in providing a sustainable future for UXO victims and people with disabilities for various reasons. Through TİKA’s valuable contributions, Turkey is proud to support national victim assistance efforts and to be part of the success story of new lives and hope for the Lao people. Time cannot be reversed, but some damages can be compensated. Today, it is a great pleasure to witness UXO victims and other disabled individuals sustaining their lives, attending school, working, and supporting their families.”

At the ceremony, Dursun Ali Yaşacan, Head of TİKA’s East and South Asia, Pacific, and Latin America Department, said:”Thanks to TİKA’s generous support, all necessary medical devices, equipment, and supplies produced in Turkey have been delivered to COPE’s five centers according to their needs. This contribution enables COPE to operate at international standards and significantly improves the quality of care for approximately 2,000 physically disabled patients each year.

Furthermore, TİKA has completed the renovation and furnishing of COPE service buildings in Vientiane, creating a better environment for both patients and staff. The support provided to COPE centers is a proud example of our commitment to sustainable development and cooperation based on solidarity and shared values.”

COPE Program Manager Metta Thippawong stated:”On behalf of myself and my team, I am very pleased with TİKA’s support in providing modern machinery and renovating the workshops of the COPE Center and its five branches. The modern equipment has allowed us to produce prosthetics much faster. Previously, patients had to wait up to five months for their prosthetic devices, but now they can receive them in about ten days.”

Deputy Director of the Medical Rehabilitation Center, Sybounheuang Sansathit, said:”We are very proud to receive support from Turkey, especially through TİKA, which provided ovens, vacuum devices, and prosthetic-orthotic production equipment.”

COPE service user Onchan Xaeteun said:”I know this hospital because my relatives recommended it to me. I am very happy that it helps disabled people like me. Thanks to this project, I can use a prosthetic device and walk again.”

Phatsanguan, another service user, added:”I am Phatsanguan from Don Village, Paknguem District, Vientiane Capital. I had an accident in 2009 when I was hit by a car, and this project helped me restore my leg. Now, I can go out, play with my friends, and engage in all kinds of activities.”

Add Sisongkham, also a service user, said:”I am Add Sisongkham, 41 years old. I had an accident in 2008 that left me disabled. My leg was amputated, and I thought I would never walk again. When I learned about this program, I was sent to this center, and now I am happy to have a leg and to see that all people with disabilities can move independently.”