Strengthening Eye Health in Laos Through Evidence-Based Planning and Systems Leadership

On February 25th and 26th, 2025, the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) co-hosted the Laos ECSAT and Systems Leadership Workshop in Vientiane, Laos, bringing together government leaders, healthcare professionals, NGOs, civil society organisations, and international partners. The workshop provided a valuable opportunity to assess the current state of eye care in Laos and explore evidence-based planning to strengthen eye health systems.

The workshop opened with remarks from Dr. Khamsay Detleuxay, Director-General of the Department of Healthcare and Rehabilitation, Ministry of Health. He emphasized the importance of evidence-based strategic planning and a holistic approach to achieving improvements in eye care. Dr. Khamkhoune Holanouphab, Director of the National Ophthalmology Centre, further reinforced the need for collaborative, multi-sectoral engagement to drive meaningful change.

Co-facilitated by Fabrizio D’Esposito, IAPB regional head of Western Pacific, a key aspect of the workshop was mapping the current state of eye care. Using the WHO’s Eye Care Situation Analysis Tool (ESCAT), participants reviewed findings from the situation analysis and worked together to assess strengths and gaps through a structured framework. The workshop was co-facilitated by Dr. Chandavone Phoxay, who led the data collection through an in-depth review of documents and interviews with key stakeholders. This included not only representatives from the eye health sector but also experts from broader health systems  such as the Health Insurance Bureau and the Healthcare Personnel Department. By the end of the first day, key priorities for improvement were identified, reflecting the collective experts and insights gathered.

The second day of the workshop centered on systems leadership and systems thinking. This was facilitated by Anna McKeon, IAPB Director of Capability Building, and participants engaged in interactive discussion and exercises designed to foster a shared understanding of systemic challenges in eye health and enhance problem-solving skills. They collaborated on the priorities from the ECSAT findings, identifying underlying barriers and exploring systems approaches and tools to address them.

This workshop marked an important milestone in ensuring that the next Laos National Strategic Plan for Eye Health is informed by accurate and actionable data. The discussions and insights gathered will be reflected in the final ESCAT Report, which will servce as a key source of evidence for shaping strategies and priorities for the 2026-2030 period.

The workshop also underscored the impact of collaboration and collective commitment in advancing eye health. A heartfelt thank you to Good People International for their generous support, and to the Laos Eye Care Working Group for their ongoing commitment to strengthening eye health systems in Laos. WHO’stechnical support further reinforced united efforts in driving sustainable progress. Special recognition goes to all facilitators and participants who contributed their expertise and insights.

As we move forward, the shared commitment demonstrated in this workshop will play a crucial role in shaping a more resilient and effective eye care system in Laos. A comprehensive report on the eye care situation in Laos is currently in development—stay tuned for its release.