Blind and visually-impaired people in Asia are getting valuable aid this month through theFedEx-backed Orbis Flying Eye Hospital service.
With the generous sponsorship of FedEx, ORBIS International’s Flying Eye Hospital, the world’sonly eye surgical and training hospital with wings, is touching down in two Southeast Asiacountries to deliver sight-saving surgeries to those suffering with blindness and visualimpairments, and to conduct skills exchange programmes with the local ophthalmic community.
Beginning in Da Nang, Vietnam, from August 9 – 20 and ending in Manila, Philippines, from August30 – September 10th, the Flying Eye Hospital programme will increase the clinical and surgicalabilities of local eye care providers. Advanced training will be offered in ophthalmic care,focusing on pediatric eye diseases, cataract, oculoplastics and medical retina. Surgeries to treatand prevent blindness will be provided free of charge onboard the Flying Eye Hospital and at thelocal partner hospitals.
About 85% of all visual impairment and 75% of blindness could be prevented or cured worldwide,FedEx pointed out. According to the World Health Organization, one-third of the world’s 45 millionblind and half of the world’s 1.5 million blind children live in Southeast Asia, giving the regiona disproportionate burden of blindness.
“The support we receive from FedEx enables the delivery of improved eye care services tonumerous people, while bringing awareness of avoidable blindness to many more,” said Dr. HunterCherwek, medical director, ORBIS International. “By creating specific, high-level programmes thatstrengthen and further the capacity of our local partner hospitals, and using this aircraft-basedtraining hospital to build awareness and public education, ORBIS is providing the tools andresources our partners need to prevent, manage and treat avoidable blindness. The unwaveringsupport of FedEx allows for this level of strategic intervention, training, advocacy and capacitybuilding with our partner hospitals throughout the world.”
As part of a global initiative to combat preventable blindness, and in support of ORBISInternational’s skills-exchange programme approach, FedEx will award and sponsor fellowships for apromising ophthalmologist from each country to study at leading eye institutes. This initiative –The FedEx Fellows – began three years ago and has since awarded fellowships to ophthalmologistsfrom Vietnam, Cambodia, India, Peru, Kenya and the Dominican Republic.
“At FedEx, we believe in training to empower our staff to excel in their jobs. The FedEx FellowsProgram is in line with our people-first philosophy and represents an exciting way for ourorganisation to help ORBIS extend the value of its medical programmes,” said Jim Parker, FedExSenior Vice President of Air Operations and Vice Chairman of the ORBIS Board of Directors. “Byconnecting the worlds of business, charity and academia, FedEx can help improve the quality ofpeople’s lives around the world.”
As a sponsor of ORBIS for more than 20 years, FedEx has committed its vast aviation expertise,unparalleled networks and dedicated team members to assist ORBIS in delivering the gift of sight tocountless individuals throughout the developing world. In 2006, FedEx renewed its globalsponsorship of ORBIS with a US $5.5 million commitment, which includes financial, logistical andoperational support for ORBIS and its Flying Eye Hospital through 2011.
FedEx uses its aviation expertise to support the annual maintenance check for the Flying EyeHospital. In addition, FedEx pilots volunteer their time to fly the Flying Eye Hospital to medicalprogram locations worldwide. FedEx also gives complimentary access to its powerful network,providing transportation services in support of ORBIS initiatives around the world.
