Nurse Maly’s Story: From Junior Nurse to Leader
Meet Nurse Maly
Maly Chittaphai's path to healthcare leadership began in one of only six Kasak villages left in rural Laos. In this rural place, access to medical care was non-existent. Growing up watching her father manage chronic asthma without proper healthcare resources ignited her passion to become a nurse.
Nurse Maly is the first Lao national appointed as Nursing Director at Lao Friends Hospital for Children, a milestone that reflects our commitment to a locally led, sustainable healthcare system in Laos. Her leadership embodies our mission to empower local professionals to lead and deliver high-quality care: healthcare for Lao people, by Lao people.
Maly now leads our pediatric nursing team with the same dedication and resilience that have defined her remarkable path from a remote village to a national role in child healthcare.
Read her full story below.
“Growing up, I experienced the challenges of limited access to healthcare. My father, who had chronic asthma, was constantly in need of care.”
My name is Maly Chittaphai. I was born in a close-knit Kasak community in rural Laos. Kasak is an ethnic group, which consists of only six villages. Growing up, I experienced the challenges of limited access to healthcare. My father, who had chronic asthma, was constantly in need of care.
This fuelled my desire to make a difference, and I developed an interest in becoming a healthcare professional. Another influencing factor is my desire for all people in Laos to be treated equally.
Despite the obstacles that hindered my educational opportunities, I was determined to pursue a career in healthcare. I navigated the complexities of rural life to attend Xieng Ngeun High School in a nearby town. My siblings, friends, and I would commute to school on foot, which took two hours. I thoroughly enjoyed high school, and this encouraged me to continue my path towards becoming a nurse. In 2006, I enrolled at the College of Public Health in Luang Prabang. I spent three years here and obtained my certificate in technical nursing. Whilst studying, I would often return to my village to support my father and to take care of my nieces and nephews.
My professional story begins at Erikshjälpen, a Swedish NGO committed to making a positive impact in rural Lao villages. My role involved collaborating with local communities; including villages and primary schools, implementing healthcare programs, and fostering awareness about hygiene and sanitation. We also provided equipment and training to local volunteers in remote areas of Phonesaly Province, Laos to assist with childbirth and care. One of the main focuses of this effort was sterilization, as access to clinics and hospitals was limited.
Eager to broaden my horizons and take on new challenges, I transitioned to the Little Hands Learning Project in Luang Prabang, where I served as the Assistant Project Manager. This role allowed me to refine my project management skills and contribute to educational initiatives.
“I continued to
learn and grow in this dynamic environment, and I was encouraged to apply for the position of LFHC’s
Nursing Director.”
In 2015, I took a significant step in my career by joining the Lao Friends Hospital for Children as a nurse. This marked a transition from community development to hands-on healthcare provision.
This role required not only medical expertise but also empathy and compassion. I continued to learn and grow in this dynamic environment, and I was encouraged to apply for the position of Nursing Director.
As Nursing Director, I play an important role in shaping the hospital's approach to paediatric care. My emphasis on compassionate nursing, community engagement, and continuous education inspires me to achieve LFHC’s goal to reach and help more children in need.
