From November 17 to 28, 2024, global eye care charity Orbis is delivering training for eye care professionals in Bangladesh on board the Orbis Flying Eye Hospital, the world's only fully accredited ophthalmic teaching hospital on a plane. Orbis clinical staff and Orbis Volunteer experts will provide hands-on surgical and patient care training to eye care professionals from around the country, in addition to simulation training and ophthalmic workshops. The project aims to build the skills of local eye care teams to raise the standard of eye care and create awareness about eye health in Bangladesh.
Press Release: Orbis Brings the Flying Eye Hospital to Bangladesh to Improve Eye Care
With an invitation from the Bangladesh Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and support from Alcon Cares, the Alcon Foundation, and FedEx, the Orbis Flying Eye Hospital returns to Bangladesh for a two-week ophthalmic training project in Chattogram.
The project is taking place at the invitation of the Bangladesh Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, with sponsorship from the Alcon Foundation and FedEx, and additional support from Alcon Cares, the Ophthalmological Society of Bangladesh, Bangladesh College of Physicians & Surgeons, and National Eye Care.
This project marks the eleventh time the Flying Eye Hospital has been to Bangladesh, with the first taking place in 1985 and the most recent in 2017. Training activities will take place on the Flying Eye Hospital, located at Shah Amanat International Airport, and at Orbis’s partner hospital Chittagong Eye Infirmary and Training Complex. The project focuses on the ophthalmic subspecialties of cataracts, oculoplastics, surgical retina, pediatric glaucoma, and cornea, as well as anesthesiology, nursing, and biomedical engineering.
The Flying Eye Hospital landed in Mongolia earlier this year. Dr. Hee Joon Kim, Orbis Volunteer Expert who is an oculoplastics specialist from Moran Eye Center trains local eye health professionals onboard the plane.
“We are honored to bring the Flying Eye Hospital back to Bangladesh in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and Chittagong Eye Infirmary and Training Complex. Our long-term partnerships are critical to increasing access to quality eye care in Bangladesh,” said Dr. Munir Ahmed, Country Director of Orbis Bangladesh.
“Thank you to Alcon Cares, the Alcon Foundation and FedEx for helping to make this project happen. Their support is essential to Orbis and our mission to build strong and sustainable eye care systems.”
Duly visited the Orbis supported Women Led Green Vision Centre in Bangladesh. These centres are helping revolutionise eye care, and with your support more women like Duly can continue to have accessible eye care.
Alcon has been a generous partner to Orbis for more than forty years, providing in-kind donations through Alcon Cares and monetary donations through the Alcon Foundation to support the Flying Eye Hospital and partner hospitals around the world. Alcon’s expert biomedical engineers and trainers also participate in Orbis projects, sharing their skills and knowledge to help participants learn to operate and maintain critical medical technology. Most recently, Alcon supported the Flying Eye Hospital project in Mongolia earlier this year.
“Alcon envisions a world where eye health conditions that can be treated or prevented get the necessary attention promptly, regardless of location, gender, age, or socioeconomic status," said Duane Stumpf, Alcon Cares and Alcon Foundation Board Member. "We believe that making quality eye care more accessible requires creating self-sustaining eye health systems and training proficient eye care teams. That's why we proudly support Orbis and its initiatives to combat avoidable vision loss by establishing robust and sustainable eye care systems worldwide.”
Takia's (right) life changed drastically after being able to have surgery to correct her cataracts. Her mother (left) was happy her daughter can now live a brighter life. Your support makes it possible for more children like Takia to have better access to eyecare.
FedEx has supported Orbis in its mission for over four decades and through more than US$22 million in donations and in-kind shipping. In 2021, FedEx announced its renewed commitment to Orbis's sight-saving mission with a US$3.5 million donation to help provide financial, logistical, and operational support to the organisation and its Flying Eye Hospital over the following five years. In addition to providing aircraft parts, maintenance, and pilot training, the Flying Eye Hospital is flown by FedEx pilots who volunteer their time to navigate the plane around the world to Orbis projects.
"The Flying Eye Hospital is a remarkable example of innovation and compassion. It's a truly unique resource that is bringing hope and healing to people in some of the most remote corners of the globe," said Justin Brownlee, Senior Vice President, Flight Operations and Airline Planning, FedEx. "We are incredibly proud of the work that our FedEx pilots, mechanics, and other volunteers are doing to support Orbis's mission. Their dedication and expertise are essential to the success of the Flying Eye Hospital program."
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