Touch down in Bangladesh!

Last week, our hospital in the sky landed at the Shah Amanat International Airport in Chattogram, Bangladesh, marking the start of the plane’s 11th sight-saving training project in the country. Once on the ground, a dedicated team immediately began converting the plane into hospital mode. The result is a fully functional classroom, surgical room, and recovery room, all on board an MD-10 aircraft.

We celebrated the start of our latest project with two opening ceremonies. The first, held at the airport, included special guests such as Air Commodore Abu Sayeed Mehboob Khan, Member of the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh.

During his welcome remarks, Orbis President and CEO, 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 Chittagong Eye Infirmary and Training Complex. 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."

A second event, chaired by founder and managing trustee of our partner hospital, Chittagong Eye Infirmary and Training Complex (CEITC), Professor Dr. Robiul Hossain, was held at the hospital. The Mayor of Chattogram City, Dr Shahadat Hossain, was in attendance along with other local dignitaries and collaborators who helped make this project possible.

Image gallery: opening ceremonies took place at the airport and in our partner hospital

The project began in earnest on Sunday with screening day taking place in the hospital and simulation training on board the plane. On screening day our teams of expert volunteers and clinical staff work with local eye care professionals to assess their training needs and select the patients that will serve as the best training cases. Local teams share case details via Cybersight, our e-learning and telemedicine platform, in advance of the project to ensure screening day runs as smoothly as possible.

Image gallery: Screening day

As always, week one on board the plane is simulation week. Just as pilots learn to fly planes through simulation training, our simulation training program uses virtual reality, cutting-edge prosthetics, and highly sophisticated, life-like manikins so that eye care teams can build their skills and confidence safely before progressing to real-life surgeries.

Simulation training is proven to effectively decrease complication rates, reduce surgical time and improve outcomes among a surgeon’s early surgical cases. This results in a better patient experience, cost savings, and improved standards of care.

Image gallery: simulation training on board the Flying Eye Hospital

With only 1,200 ophthalmologists serving 168 million people, the need for specialized eye care training in Bangladesh is as critical as ever. Through simulation training, hands-on surgical training, and workshops, the impact of this project will extend far beyond the Flying Eye Hospital’s visit. And every member of the team — ophthalmologists, nurses, and biomedical engineers — will benefit from training, so patients are sure to receive the best possible care.

This project would not have been possible without the incredible support of Title Sponsors FedEx and the Alcon Foundation. Their support ensures that we can improve access to eye care in Bangladesh for generations to come.

We also want to thank our collaborators and local partners, Ophthalmological Society of Bangladesh (OSB), Bangladesh College of Physicians & Surgeons (BCPS), National Eye Care (NEC), and Chittagong Eye Infirmary and Training Complex (CEITC), for their dedication and tireless work improving access to eye care in Bangladesh.

Stay tuned for more updates on the project, including sight-restoring surgeries.