The federal government has granted $1.5 million to the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI), to strengthen food safety and alcohol surveillance in Laos, following the methanol poisoning deaths of two Australian citizens in November 2024.
The Lao Ministry of Health’s Food and Drug Department (FDD) and CHAI signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on 20 February, to launch the “Strengthening Food Safety and Alcohol Surveillance, Prevention, and Response Project”.
CHAI country director, Garrett Young, said the organisation was honoured to support the project, building on a long-standing strategic partnership with the Lao Ministry of Health.
“By equipping laboratories and training frontline inspectors, we are building a proactive system that protects lives and improves public health outcomes across the country,” said Young.
The project aims to address recurring public health challenges by modernising the National Food Safety Emergency Response Plan, upgrading the infrastructure of the National Center of Food and Drug Analysis to enhance laboratory capabilities to detect lethal contaminants, strengthening alcoholic beverage inspection, including the provision of rapid methanol test kits to food inspectors, and training healthcare professionals to better treat victims of food and alcohol poisoning.
Lao vice minister of Health, Aphone Visathep, said food and alcoholic beverage safety is an essential part of the nation's health, economy, and tourism.
“We are committed to modernising our inspection systems and strengthening our management framework to ensure high standards nationwide,” said Visathep.
“We are pleased to partner with the Australian Government and CHAI to build a safer and more resilient future for every consumer in Laos.”
The funding of $1.5 million is part of Australia’s bilateral Official Development Assistance allocation to Laos, allocated $26.1 million total in the 2025-26 budget estimate. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade managed the procurement and development of the project, including the selection of CHAI as the implementing partner.
Australian Embassy in Laos deputy head of mission, Benita Sommerville, said this investment is equipping the frontline of health security.
“This means better lab equipment to detect contaminants, clearer response plans for officials, and standardizing treatment for food and alcohol poisoning incidents,” said Sommerville.
Australia is also partnering with the Lao Ministry of Health and the World Health Organisation to review and update the Law on Alcohol Beverage Control.
Through the Southeast Asia and Australia Government to Government Partnerships program, Australia is exploring potential opportunities to strengthen the Lao Ministry of Health’s capacity to prevent, detect and respond to food and alcohol-related risks.
Minister for Foreign Affairs, Penny Wong, also appointed DFAT head of the Southeast Asia Regional and Mainland Division, Pablo Kang, as special envoy for the Laos methanol poisoning investigation on 12 February. He will aim to support and progress the investigation process and provide greater transparency over the legal processes in the country.
