Bouachan's Story

The only doctor for her community

In the remote Huon district of Lao PDR's Oudomxay province, Bouachan is an essential frontline worker. As the only doctor in the area, she is always on duty, caring for her community day and night.

Living with blurry vision for 18 years

For 18 years, Bouachan lived with blurry vision in one eye. Although she had private health insurance, it didn’t cover cataract surgery. As a single parent of two children aged 7 and 11, she prioritised her patients and family over her own health needs.

Photo credit: Michael Amendolia

A growing challenge threatens her work

Recently, Bouachan began experiencing blurry vision in her other eye. She knew that if her sight deteriorated further, she would no longer be able to work — leaving her community without medical care and putting her family at risk.

Photo credit: Michael Amendolia

Accessing life-changing surgery

With support from The Fred Hollows Foundation and the Australian NGO Cooperation Program (ANCP), Bouachan was able to undergo cataract surgery at the Oudomxay Eye Unit. Her surgery was performed by Dr Senglar Laosern, one of Laos’ few female ophthalmologists. Based at Oudomxay Eye Hospital, Dr Senglar travels to remote villages and has helped hundreds of people regain their sight. Her skill and dedication ensured Bouachan could return to work safely and see clearly again.

Photo credit: Michael Amendolia

Sight restored, hope renewed

After surgery, Bouachan’s vision improved, and she was advised to ease back into work. For the first time in years, she could care for her patients with confidence and continue supporting her children.

Photo credit: Michael Amendolia

Looking to the future

Bouachan is planning her next steps: returning to the health centre and exploring further study through a sub-specialty or medical scholarship. Thanks to supporters and the skill of Dr Senglar, Bouachan can continue her vital work — and her community can continue to rely on the only doctor they have.

Eye health in Laos

The need for eye care in Laos is significant:

• Population: 7.3 million, with 63.7% living in rural areas

• Blindness: 93.4% is avoidable

• Cataract: Leading cause of blindness, with 16,000 people needing surgery and 6,200 new cases each year

• Gender disparities: Women over 50 are twice as likely to be blind, and bear nearly 70% of the cataract backlog

Since 2008, The Fred Hollows Foundation has:

• Provided eye screening, operations, and treatments to more than 100,000 people, including women, girls, and other vulnerable populations

• Trained thousands of surgeons, nurses, and health workers

• Established eye health services in 11 provinces, increasing access for nearly one million people

In 2024 alone, the Foundation supported:

• 40,641 people screened

• 13,026 eye operations and treatments, including 3,458 cataract surgeries

• 7,236 pairs of glasses distributed

• 1,315 people trained, including 20 surgeons and 1,175 community health workers

Photo credit: Michael Amendolia

Through this work, patients like Bouachan can continue contributing to their communities, while women and girls gain better access to the eye care they need.