23/06/2026
Thank you to the Vanuatu government, The Fred Hollows Foundation and partners for supporting Dr Kalbule Willie and his family on his journey to specialize in eye care.
We are so proud of him and how far he has come. Keep up the great work Doc.
Dr Willie Kalbule has always wanted to make a difference where the need is greatest.
Originally from Malakula, one of the islands of Vanuatu, Dr Willie grew up understanding the challenges families face when access to specialist health care is limited.
He is currently studying to become an eye doctor at the Pacific Eye Institute in Fiji. During a Mobile Eye Clinic outreach to Tavua at the end of last year, he took a major step forward in his studies by completing his 100th eye surgery – a yearly requirement for his Masters in Medicine programme.
He says that the moment sight is restored never loses its meaning.
“They came in unable to see, they came in with people holding them inside the theatre. When you remove the bandages, you can see tears running down their face. They were able to see. I think it’s wonderful and it’s a fantastic experience.”
By investing in the training of local eye doctors like Dr Willie, we are helping to build strong, sustainable eye care services across the Pacific — ensuring more people can access the care they need, now and into the future.
👉 Read Dr Willie’s full story and learn why training local eye doctors matters: https://buff.ly/GRfCfSG