The Orbis Flying Eye Hospital has arrived in Bangladesh for the 11th time, marking the return of its advanced training program for eye care professionals. Supported by prominent organizations including Alcon Cares, Alcon Foundation, FedEx, and the Ophthalmological Society of Bangladesh (OSB), this two-week program offers specialized training in key areas of ophthalmology.
The official opening ceremony took place on November 17 at the Chittagong Eye Hospital and Training Center (CEITC) in Pahartali, Chattogram, with notable figures in attendance. Dr. Shahadat Hossain, Mayor of Chattogram City Corporation, served as the chief guest, while Derek Hodkey, President and CEO of Orbis International, joined as a special guest. The event was chaired by Professor Dr. Robiul Hossain, founder and managing trustee of CEITC.
Hodkey expressed Orbis’s pride in re-launching the Flying Eye Hospital project in Bangladesh. He acknowledged the long-standing partnership with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, highlighting its crucial role in advancing eye care in the country. “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,” he said.
The ceremony also featured speeches from Dr. Munir Ahmed, Country Director of Orbis International Bangladesh; Maurice Geary, Director of the 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.
Earlier in the day, an inauguration ceremony was held at Shah Amanat International Airport, where Air Commodore Abu Sayeed Mehboob Khan, Member (Operations & Planning) of the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB), presided over the event. Group Captain Sheikh Abdullah Alamgir, Director of Shah Amanat International Airport, was also in attendance.
The Flying Eye Hospital is stationed at Shah Amanat International Airport during the training program, which will run until November 28. The program focuses on critical topics such as cataracts, glaucoma, retina, oculoplasty, and corneal diseases, with additional workshops on neuro-ophthalmology, optometry, nursing, and biomedical training. Eye care specialists, nurses, and technicians from around the world will provide hands-on training both onboard the Flying Eye Hospital and at CEITC.
This marks a significant milestone in Orbis’s long-term commitment to enhancing eye care education. The Flying Eye Hospital, based on an MD-10 aircraft, is the world’s first and only fully recognized mobile eye care facility, celebrated globally for its innovative approach to training and healthcare delivery.
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