An aircraft carrying a well-equipped ‘flying eye hospital’ arrived here on Sunday with its global team of voluntary eye care specialists to conduct an intensive two-week training programme for doctors.
“The programme (from September 22 to October 3) would be focused on multiple subspeciality training and equipping eye care professionals with medical education required to address the country’s dire eye health needs,” Perry Athanason, Communication Manager of the Hospital told reporters.
ORBIS international’s flagship Flying Eye Hospital is a DC10 aircraft fitted with all the facilities to run a miniature eye hospital.
It is equipped with an examination and laser treatment room, operation theatre, recovery room, nursing and biomedical engineering training areas, Audio-Visual studio and a 48-seat classroom.
On board, local doctors, nurses and technicians work alongside ORBIS’s international medical team to exchange knowledge and skills.
“A total of 13 international volunteer faculties from some noted eye hospitals in UK, USA and Hong Cong will provide training to nearly 250 participants in various programs during the two weeks,” he said.
The training is hosted by SMS Medical College and Hospital, Sahai Eye hospital and research centre, and sponsored by Alcon-an eye care company, Athanason said.
ORBIS international is a New York based NGO and working in India since 1988.