Orbis Flying Eye Hospital in Ctg to save sight, transfer skills

This is the eighth visit of Orbis Flying Eye Hospital in Bangladesh since 1985 and the second visit in Chittagong since 2002.

The Chittagong Eye Infirmary and Training Complex (CEITC) and Ophthalmological Society of Bangladesh, Chittagong branch, are hosting the world's only flying eye hospital and Orbis's most technologically advanced training programme in Chittagong.

The programme will be conducted by a multinational staff team as well as volunteer doctors, nurses and anaesthetists from the USA, the UK and Ireland. It will address some of the leading causes of blindness, including cataract, corneal and retinal diseases and strabismus.

"We hope that the flying eye hospital programme will serve as a catalyst for local eye care professionals to learn so that they can teach others and expand the opportunity for the treatment of visually impaired people in Bangladesh," said Drew Boshell, Orbis Flying Eye Hospital Director.

Through hands-on training, lectures, symposia, computerised simulator and surgical demonstrations, the two-week Flying Eye Hospital programme will focus on training local ophthalmologists to perform corneal transplants independently with increased confidence, surgically manage diabetic patients as well as properly diagnose and manage paediatric cataracts and strabismus cases.

The CEITC is a long-term local blindness prevention partner of Orbis Bangladesh Country Programme. There will be a two-week nursing training programme on the flying eye hospital where trainees will rotate through the operating room, sub-sterile area and recovery room.

Orbis Bangladesh Country Director Dr Md Khairul Islam said that in order to contain childhood blindness in the country, maintain a steady growth in eye donation and let doctors know the latest techniques in treatment, the Orbis Flying Eye Hospital is a true harbinger of hope for the Bangladeshi ophthalmic community that is struggling for quality service delivery. "The Flying Eye Hospital is also a blessing for those individuals who are needlessly lost to the world of darkness."

He said the hallmark of Orbis programme in Bangladesh continues to focus on paediatric ophthalmology, the strengthening of eye health centre capacity and supporting community outreach in rural areas. Over the last few years, Orbis Bangladesh Country Office has also contributed a lot in development of sub-specially like corneal blindness and eye banking.

An organising committee chaired by Prof Rabiul Husain, managing trustee of CEITC, has been providing all necessary support to the Chittagong Flying Eye Hospital programme. Over the last few months, this committee has already identified a group of selected patients who will be consulted and treated during this programme.

Orbis is an international non-profit humanitarian organisation committed to preserving and restoring sight in the developing world through hands-on training of medical professionals and by strengthening the capacity of in-country eye care services and institutions.