At Know The Glow, we celebrate healthcare professionals who are making a meaningful difference in the lives of children through early detection, compassionate care, and unwavering dedication.One such individual is Dr. Shayri Pillai, affectionately known as Dr. Sera, whose work is transforming the landscape of ocular trauma and ocular cancer in Liberia.
KnowTheGlow recently had the opportunity to speak with Dr. Shayri Pillai, Liberia’s first consultant specialised in oculoplasty and ocular oncology, based at Liberia Eye Center John F. Kennedy Medical Center in Monrovia, the country’s first national referral hospital. Following an introduction from Dr. Lara Sandri, KnowTheGlow Co-founder Megan Webber and Program Manager Ruth Ngaruiya had the opportunity to speak with Dr. Pillai about the realities of diagnosing and treating retinoblastoma in Liberia, where limited resources, financial barriers, and a shortage of specialist services continue to present significant challenges.
Dr. Pillai’s journey into ocular oncology began during her ophthalmology residency in Liberia at the John F. Kennedy Medical Center, the country’s national referral hospital and only tertiary center providing specialized eye care. Working alongside visiting ophthalmologists and consultants from the L V Prasad Eye Institute in India, she witnessed firsthand the profound impact that limited access to subspecialty care had on patients with complex orbital,eyelid and ocular tumors.
Recognizing a critical gap in Oculoplasty and Ocular Oncology services, Dr. Pillai was inspired to pursue advanced subspecialty training with the vision of returning home to establish and strengthen these services in Liberia. With the support of the Ministry of Health, Liberia.She embarked on an international training journey dedicated to achieving that goal.
Her first fellowship in Oculoplasty and ocular oncology was completed under the mentorship of Dr. Hamzah Mustak at the University of Cape Town in South Africa. She then pursued a second fellowship in Ocular Oncology under the internationally renowned Dr. Paul T. Finger at the New York Eye Cancer Center in New York, USA. Further broadening her expertise, Dr. Pillai also earned a Diploma in Aesthetic Medicine, reflecting her commitment to comprehensive periocular and facial care.She has several publications too.
Today, Dr. Pillai has returned to Liberia with a clear mission: to provide highly specialized clinical care while building sustainable Oculoplasty and Ocular Oncology services for the country. Beyond treating patients, she is committed to training future eye care professionals, raising awareness of childhood eye cancer, promoting early diagnosis, and strengthening multidisciplinary collaboration to improve outcomes for patients across Liberia.
With only five ophthalmologists serving Liberia—and just two with subspecialty training—access to advanced eye care remains limited. As one of the country’s few specialists in Oculoplasty and Ocular Oncology at the John F. Kennedy Medical Center, Dr. Pillai sees a high volume of patients with various ocular conditions, giving her a unique perspective on both the growing demand for specialized care and the challenges families face in accessing it.
For children with retinoblastoma and other ocular tumors, barriers such as limited access to advanced diagnostics, radiation therapy, specialized treatment, and the financial cost of care can delay diagnosis and treatment. These challenges highlight the vital importance of early detection, prompt referral, and greater awareness to improve outcomes and save both sight and lives.
Dr. Pillai presented the findings of Liberia’s first retinoblastoma study at the International Society of Paediatric Oncology (SIOP), bringing international attention to the unique challenges faced by children with eye cancer in Liberia and underscoring the need for strengthened childhood cancer services across the region.
The retrospective study highlights retinoblastoma cases treated at John F. Kennedy Medical Center over several years. The findings painted a sobering picture, with many children presenting only after the disease had spread beyond the eye, when treatment options were far more limited. Despite the dedication of the medical teams involved, delayed presentation, financial hardship, and limited access to specialised treatment contributed to poor outcomes for many of these children. The study highlights the urgent need for earlier recognition, timely referral, and improved access to care.
The barriers she described extend far beyond medicine alone. Families often struggle to pay for transportation, accommodation, food, diagnostic tests, and the repeated hospital visits required throughout treatment. As a result, many are unable to continue treatment or return for follow-up appointments, often presenting again only after the disease has progressed significantly. Among the many children Dr. Pillai recalled a recent case of one young child whose retinoblastoma had spread to the liver after the family was unable to return for treatment, and multiple children whose disease had advanced into the central nervous system after financial barriers interrupted care. With limited financial support available for childhood cancer treatment, much of the cost of care is borne by families who are often already facing significant economic hardship.
Despite these challenges, Dr. Pillai remains committed to strengthening ocular oncology services in Liberia. Despite the demands of an exceptionally busy clinical practice, she also works closely with colleagues and mentors across Africa to strengthen the network. She remains deeply committed to teaching ophthalmology residents and medical students, helping build the next generation of eye care specialists in Liberia.
Dr. Pillai believes that increasing awareness among families, communities, and frontline healthcare workers is one of the most important steps toward improving outcomes for children with retinoblastoma. Earlier recognition of leukocoria and prompt referral to specialist services can make the difference between preserving sight, saving a child’s life, and a diagnosis that comes too late. She sees public education, healthcare worker training, and stronger referral pathways as essential components of improving childhood eye care across Liberia.
At last she extend her appreciation to Ministry of Health-Liberia,John F.Kennedy Hospital, Multidisciplinary team at JFK,Team Liberia Eye Center,LV Prasad,Supporters and donors for free chemotherapy,her patients and Know The Glow
KnowTheGlow is honoured to have connected with Dr. Pillai and inspired by her unwavering commitment to improving care for children with retinoblastoma in Liberia. We look forward to supporting her work by sharing educational resources, awareness materials, and opportunities to engage in future awareness initiatives as her programme continues to grow. By raising awareness of leukocoria and helping families and healthcare providers recognise its significance, we hope to contribute to earlier referral, earlier diagnosis, and better outcomes for children across Liberia.
