Orbis Flying Eye Hospital begins 11th training project for eye care professionals 

At the invitation of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare of Bangladesh and with the full cooperation of Chattogram Eye Hospital and Training Center, Orbis Flying Eye Hospital launched its 11th eye care training project in Bangladesh and the 5th in Chattogram.

This two-week training program is supported by Alcon Cares, Alcon Foundation, FedEx, Ophthalmological Society of Bangladesh (OSB), Bangladesh College of Physicians and Surgeons (BCPS), and National Eye Care.

On 17 November, an opening ceremony was held at the Imran Seminar Hall of Chittagong Eye Hospital and Training Center (CEITC) in Pahartali, Chattogram. 

The ceremony was graced by Dr Shahadat Hossain, mayor of Chattogram City Corporation, as the chief guest, and Derek Hodkey, president and CEO of Orbis International, as a special guest. 

The event was chaired by Professor Dr Robiul Hossain, founder and managing trustee of CEITC.

Special guest Derek Hodkey said, "We are proud to restart the Flying Eye Hospital project in Bangladesh once again, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and CEITC. Our long-term partnership has played a significant role in improving eye care in Bangladesh. We are grateful for the support from Alcon Cares, Alcon Foundation, and FedEx. Orbis's goal is to build a strong and sustainable eye care system."

Dr Munir Ahmed, country director of Orbis International Bangladesh, Maurice Geary, Director of Orbis Flying Eye Hospital, Dr. Rajib Hossain, Medical Director of CEITC, and Professor Dr. Md. Munirujzaman Osmani, Convener of the Flying Eye Hospital Project Organizing Committee in Bangladesh spoke at the ceremony.

Earlier in the morning, an inauguration ceremony was held at Chattogram Shah Amanat International Airport, where Air Commodore Abu Sayeed Mehboob Khan, BSP, BUP, ndc, psc, who is the Member (Operations & Planning) of the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) was present there as the Chief Guest. The event was also attended by Group Captain Sheikh Abdullah Alamgir, Director of Shah Amanat International Airport, Chattogram.

This marks the 11th landing of the Orbis Flying Eye Hospital in Bangladesh for the advanced training of eye care professionals. The program was first held in 1985, and the most recent training project took place in 2017. The training, which began on 17 November, will run until 28 November.

Eye care specialists, nurses, and technicians from various countries will provide hands-on training to the participants. The training activities will take place both onboard the Flying Eye Hospital at Shah Amanat International Airport and at Orbis's partner hospital, Chittagong Eye Hospital and Training Center.

The key topics of this training include cataracts, glaucoma, retina, oculoplasty, and corneal diseases. Additionally, there will be workshops on neuro-ophthalmology, optometry webinars, and training on nursing and biomedical topics.

Orbis operates the world's first and only Flying Eye Hospital, a fully recognized eye care hospital based on an MD-10 aircraft, and is globally celebrated for its efforts in eye care education.