On the morning of 28/7, Orbis International, a non-governmental organization, announced the program's launch at Da Nang International Airport. The three-week project is a collaboration between Orbis, Da Nang Eye Hospital, and local authorities. This event marks 30 years of the non-profit organization's commitment to eye health care in Vietnam.
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The Orbis flying eye hospital. Photo: Orbis |
The Orbis flying eye hospital. Photo: Orbis
The program gathers over 20 volunteer ophthalmologists from 7 countries. Local medical teams will receive guidance through simulated surgical models, hands-on training, and clinical discussions, focusing on treating cataracts, glaucoma, retinal diseases, and oculoplastic surgery.
The training takes place directly on the MD-10 aircraft, a flying hospital model integrating an operating room and a simulation center. Additionally, trainees connect via the Cybersight telehealth platform for consultations with global experts before and after the program.
Nguyen Thi Anh Thi, Vice Chairwoman of the Da Nang People's Committee, stated that the city previously hosted the Flying Eye Hospital in 2006. The program's return not only supports treatment for patients in need but also enhances local medical capacity, serving the eye care needs of nearly 9 million residents in the region.
Commenting on this model, Duong Huy Luong, Deputy Director of the Department of Medical Examination and Treatment Management (Ministry of Health), noted that it is a practical program aligned with Vietnam's telehealth development orientation.
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Duong Huy Luong speaks at the program. Photo: Nguyen Dong |
Duong Huy Luong speaks at the program. Photo: Nguyen Dong
"The flying hospital helps enhance the professional capacity of healthcare personnel in the Central and Central Highlands regions, creating opportunities to access advanced practical skills to sustainably reduce the burden of blindness", Luong said.
According to data from Orbis, since 1996, the organization has supported the training of over 40,000 ophthalmology professionals in Vietnam, assisted in examinations for 5,2 million people, and performed over 139,000 surgeries. Orbis has also funded the establishment of 17 retinopathy treatment centers for premature infants and collaborated on developing national clinical guidelines.
Nguyen Dong
