Vientiane Capital, 14^th of January 2026 – IPL participated in the 3rd Joint Coordinating Committee (JCC) meeting of the SATREPS project (Science and Technology Research Partnership for Sustainable Development), held on 14 January 2025 in Vientiane.

The five-year project brings together Lao and Japanese partners to support the elimination of malaria and schistosomiasis, and the control of opisthorchiasis in Laos through research, surveillance, diagnostics, and public health collaboration.

The meeting was co-chaired by Dr. Phoupasong Somphou, Deputy Director of the Department of Communicable Disease Control (DCDC); Dr. Philippe Buchy, Director General of Institut Pasteur du Laos; and Dr. Keobouphaphone Chindavongsa, Deputy Director of the Center of Malariology, Parasitology and Entomology (CMPE).

More than 60 researchers and health experts participated both in person and online to review project progress and discuss future implementation activities.

Key project updates included the deployment of Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP) technology for malaria diagnosis in 25 hospitals located in high-burden and border areas, supporting future integration into the National Strategic Plan (2026–2030).

The project also includes the development of environmental DNA (eDNA) approaches for parasite detection in water sources, as well as community-based eco-health education activities aimed at strengthening prevention and long-term public health awareness.

The SATREPS project is implemented through collaboration between Lao and Japanese institutions with the support of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED).