The Laos methanol poisonings shine a light on a deeper tragedy

The death of British lawyer Simone White, 28, and five other tourists as a result of a suspected mass poisoning in Laos has rightly cast a spotlight on the serious methanol problem with which poorer parts of Southeast Asia are grappling. But that shouldn’t be allowed to obscure what was almost certainly another critical factor in this tragedy: the absolutely abysmal condition of the Laotian healthcare system.

Those unfamiliar with the country might have wondered why almost all the tourists who were poisoned with tainted alcohol were flown or driven to neighbouring Thailand, delaying urgent treatment by hours, despite falling sick just a couple of hours north of the Laotian capital of Vientiane. Anyone who’s been, however, will just be glad they got out.

Between 2008 and 2009, I worked in Laos on behalf of the United Nations. Whilst there, I was told to avoid the local hospitals like my life depended on it – even in the capital, which in many countries will host at least a few good facilities for the government and NGO class.