In Luang Prabang, Laos, Friends Without A Border (FWAB) operates Lao Friends Hospital for Children (LFHC), the only pediatric hospital in Northern Laos. Since opening in 2015, LFHC has provided free, high-quality care to tens of thousands of children each year, many from ruralcommunities where access to healthcare is extremely limited.
To strengthen its growing digital infrastructure, FWAB partnered with World Computer Exchange (WCE), receiving 7 refurbished laptops delivered through U.S.-based volunteers. These devices now support critical hospital operations, including patient registration, electronic medical records, lab result tracking, and radiology workflows.
In a setting where power outages are frequent, laptops play a vital role. Their ability to run on batteries ensure that doctors and nurses can continue accessing essential systems without interruption, supporting faster, more coordinated, and more accurate care.
The impact extends beyond the hospital walls. Doctors now use WCE laptops while traveling to train healthcare providers in remote areas, allowing them to access records, manage cases, and prepare materials even without reliable infrastructure. Within LFHC, the laptops are also helping eliminate paper-based shift handovers, reducing manual errors and improving continuity of care.
They have even been used to set up temporary intake stations for programs like weekly thalassemia monitoring.
Looking ahead, FWAB hopes to expand its digital capabilities further, including exploring AI-assisted tools in radiology. With access to reliable, affordable technology, LFHC is not only improving daily operations, but it is also building a stronger, more sustainable future for pediatric healthcare in Laos.