<i>ORBIS programme begins in Ctg</i>

Specialised doctors of ORBIS International perform an operation on an eye patient at the flying eye hospital in a giant DC-10 aircraft at Shah Amanat International Airport in Chittagong yesterday. Photo: zobaer hossain sikder

ORBIS International, an organisation carrying out eye-care awareness and skill building activities with a slogan 'saving sight worldwide', launched a two-week skills exchange programme at its flying eye hospital here yesterday.
Health Adviser to Prime Minister Prof Syed Modasser Ali formally inaugurated the 'ORBIS Flying Eye Hospital (FEH) Programme' on a giant DC-10 aircraft that landed at Shah Amanat International Airport in Chittagong on Sunday.
With a view to introducing the country's eye care professionals with the latest technology and modern treatment, both surgical and medical, ORBIS International landed its flagship Flying Eye Hospital for the ninth time in the country and the third time in Chittagong after 2002 and 2005.
Invited by ORBIS Bangladesh's long-time partner Chittagong Eye Infirmary and Training Complex (CEITC), the largest non-government eye hospital in this region at Pahartali in the port city, the FEH programme aims at strengthening training capacity in both paediatric ophthalmology and cornea.
A total of 120 ophthalmologists, 40 anaesthesiologists, 15 technicians and 50 nurses were scheduled to participate in the hands-on trainings on cataract (phaco), cornea and external diseases, paediatrics/strabismus and ROP and retina (medical) in the first week (from October 4 to 8) and on glaucoma (paediatrics), oculoplastics, retina/vitreous, anaesthesiology and nursing in the second week (from October 11 to 15).
Some 300 patients are expected to be examined and some 75 surgically or medically treated during the programme to be supported by 10 voluntary faculties and FEH staffs from the USA, the UK and Canada.
The training workshop and hands-on training would also be held at CEITC.
Addressing the function as the chief guest, Prof Ali said the programme would be a scope for exchanging technological experience and cooperation with the latest ophthalmologic hospital of ORBIS, which is a pioneering US-based organisation, particularly in paediatric ophthalmology.
Prof Shah Monir Hossain, director general of DGHS and Prof Dr Deen Mohammad Nurul Huq were present as the special guest and guest of honour respectively at the programme held on the airport premise with Ophthalmology Society of Bangladesh President Ava Hossain in the chair.
Organising Committee Chairman of ORBIS FEH Programme Prof Rabiul Hussain, also managing trustee of CEITC and chairman of International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB), South-East Asia Region, ORBIS Bangladesh Country Director Dr Abu Raihan and ORBIS International Medical Director Dr Hunter Cherwek also spoke.
Noted ophthalmologist Dr MA Matin was also present at the ceremony.
Prof Rabiul said coinciding with the World Sight Day on October 8, the FEH programme this year would emphasise gender equality in ensuring equal access to eye care following the theme of the day.
Dr Cherwek said, “Specifically this programme would augment an ongoing ORBIS Bangladesh project that aims to strengthen the overall eye care capacity of CEITC, with focus on paediatric eye care.”
In his speech, Dr Raihan said ORBIS Bangladesh celebrates its 10th anniversary this month and recognises CEITC as a strengthening partner.
“Our partnership with CEITC has successfully launched several paediatric eye care centres in Bangladesh and supported establishment of the country's first paediatric ophthalmology training centre at Chittagong,” he said, adding that this centre is not only training doctors of Bangladesh but also those from Azerbaijan, China, Kenya and West Indies.
He also informed that ORBIS Bangladesh has established nine paediatric eye care facilities -- seven in Bangladesh and two in Pakistan -- to treat together over one lakh children annually.