Wakema Rising
How a hospital in Myanmar is becoming a training hub for the future of rural eye care
Before & after. That’s what the image shows. But at Wakema Eye Hospital in Myanmar, the story goes well beyond fresh paint and new beds.
With BBH Eye Foundation’s support, Wakema has undergone a quiet transformation—not only improving the patient ward with new furniture and flooring, but also adding a third story to the hospital that now houses private, secure accommodations for visiting medical professionals. This space gives nurses, doctors, and surgical trainees coming from across the region a safe place to stay—and a place to leave their laptop or wallet while they’re in surgery. It’s a small but essential step toward something bigger.
Wakema isn’t just treating patients; it’s growing into a training center for the region. That means more people getting care now, and far more who will benefit down the line as newly trained ophthalmic professionals carry skills back to underserved areas.
This vision echoes BBH’s PECC model in Nepal: providing immediate care while building the systems and structures that sustain it for years to come. It’s not just about today’s surgeries. It’s about creating systems and spaces that multiply care over time.
Thank you for supporting this work—not just the renovations, but the legacy they enable.
This is remarkable work under the most difficult of circumstances. The conception and implementation are impressive--thanks for writing up these results. Another small donation on the way to make sure that you know how great it is to see progress despite the chaos of a totalitarian and militaristic regime.