Flying eye hospital trains, treats Ugandans at no cost
Aug 01, 2006
ORBIS Flying Eye Hospital has just concluded free eye surgery and training of eye specialists in Uganda.
By Thomas Pere
ORBIS Flying Eye Hospital has just concluded free eye surgery and training of eye specialists in Uganda.
The world’s only flying eye hospital, which was invited by the ministry of health and the national prevention of Blindness Committee, arrived at Entebbe Airport on July 18.
Orbis is a converted DC—10 aircraft that contains state-of-the-art eye surgical equipment, recovery rooms, a classroom and an audio and visual studio. The international medical team, which is composed of volunteer eye care professionals, has gone to more than 84 countries since 1982, treating eye diseases and training professionals. Celia Yeung, the public relations officer of ORBIS Flying Eye Hospital, said local doctors, nurses and technicians work alongside ORBIS’ medical team in the operating, laser, sub-sterile and recovery rooms to exchange knowledge and improve their ability to preserve and restore sight.
In the 48-seater classroom, doctors had lectures, discussions and live broadcasts of surgical procedures being performed in the flying eye hospital operating room.
According to Yeung, 35, ophthalmologists were trained through hands-on training, lectures, live surgical demonstrations and wet-lab sessions aboard the flying eye hospital. Sixty nurses and 30 ophthalmic clinical officers were trained in ophthalmic nursing and general maintenance of ophthalmic equipment, with emphasis on handling and cleaning optical surfaces.
The focus was on sub-specialty training in cataract, corneal diseases, paediatrics, glaucoma, oculoplastics, retinal diseases and ultrasound. Drew Boshell, the director ORBIS, said about 27 million people worldwide are unnecessarily blind. “A lot of blindness is because of lack of attention, right from childhood,†he said.
Ministry of health’s Liliane Luwaga says there are approximately 280,000-420,000 blind people in Uganda with 75% of the infections related to injuries, or preventable diseases like trachoma. Boshell says the team did the first successful corneal transplant in Uganda and 40 to 50 demonstration surgeries. This saved the patients and doctors thousands of shillings they would have spent abroad.
“Take preventive steps and seek immediate care when a disease is suspected. Parents should take their children for Vitamin A supplementation to avoid early childhood blindness. Proper sanitation and to prevent infectious diseases like trachoma should be practised and people should consult eye doctors rather than use traditional eye medicines,†he added.
Boshell called upon the Government to change the law, which prohibits transplanting.
Ends
ORBIS Flying Eye Hospital has just concluded free eye surgery and training of eye specialists in Uganda.
The world’s only flying eye hospital, which was invited by the ministry of health and the national prevention of Blindness Committee, arrived at Entebbe Airport on July 18.
Orbis is a converted DC—10 aircraft that contains state-of-the-art eye surgical equipment, recovery rooms, a classroom and an audio and visual studio. The international medical team, which is composed of volunteer eye care professionals, has gone to more than 84 countries since 1982, treating eye diseases and training professionals. Celia Yeung, the public relations officer of ORBIS Flying Eye Hospital, said local doctors, nurses and technicians work alongside ORBIS’ medical team in the operating, laser, sub-sterile and recovery rooms to exchange knowledge and improve their ability to preserve and restore sight.
In the 48-seater classroom, doctors had lectures, discussions and live broadcasts of surgical procedures being performed in the flying eye hospital operating room.
According to Yeung, 35, ophthalmologists were trained through hands-on training, lectures, live surgical demonstrations and wet-lab sessions aboard the flying eye hospital. Sixty nurses and 30 ophthalmic clinical officers were trained in ophthalmic nursing and general maintenance of ophthalmic equipment, with emphasis on handling and cleaning optical surfaces.
The focus was on sub-specialty training in cataract, corneal diseases, paediatrics, glaucoma, oculoplastics, retinal diseases and ultrasound. Drew Boshell, the director ORBIS, said about 27 million people worldwide are unnecessarily blind. “A lot of blindness is because of lack of attention, right from childhood,†he said.
Ministry of health’s Liliane Luwaga says there are approximately 280,000-420,000 blind people in Uganda with 75% of the infections related to injuries, or preventable diseases like trachoma. Boshell says the team did the first successful corneal transplant in Uganda and 40 to 50 demonstration surgeries. This saved the patients and doctors thousands of shillings they would have spent abroad.
“Take preventive steps and seek immediate care when a disease is suspected. Parents should take their children for Vitamin A supplementation to avoid early childhood blindness. Proper sanitation and to prevent infectious diseases like trachoma should be practised and people should consult eye doctors rather than use traditional eye medicines,†he added.
Boshell called upon the Government to change the law, which prohibits transplanting.
Ends