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This analysis establishes a baseline understanding of current cross-border health challenges and opportunities, and identifies organizational and technical capacity gaps to address within key stakeholders that are leading cross-border health initiatives.
![Image of two ministry of health in front of COVID-19 communications poster](/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/2022-05/Laos.png?itok=lyYtv0SX)
In response to an emergency request from the Government of Laos, the Local Health System Sustainability Project (LHSS) is on the ground in Laos working with the Ministry of Health (MOH) to combat the spread of COVID-19.
![health worker in PPE analyzing a COVID-19 test](/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/2022-03/pasteur%20%281200%20%C3%97%20643%20px%29.png?itok=MpE3DBv_)
By now, much has been written about the egregious global inequities in COVID-19 vaccine distribution. But less has been said about another inequity that holds serious implications for global health: the disparities in genomic sequencing capacities and capabilities worldwide.
![A laboratory specialist in Kazakhstan handles samples for testing in July 2020.](/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/2021-07/HSRblog%20%282%29.jpg?itok=nuvOgEr3)
The events of the past 18 months underscore the importance of generally strong, equitable, and accessible health systems. COVID-19 is not the only threat we face, and as we prepare for the future it is critical that we begin to sufficiently invest in the foundational health system strengthening required to develop lasting resilience.
![Khamphian Maithaphom, a fourth-year medical student volunteer, at the hotline center in April](/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/2021-10/answering%20the%20call_0_resized.png?itok=QP1GRg29)
At the request of the Laos Ministry of Health, LHSS helped mobilize volunteer medical students to support a national hotline for COVID-19. At the peak of the Pai Mai holiday, the hotline fielded 5,000 calls a day.