(VNF) - The 2017 Orbis Flying Eye Hospital Programme was launched in the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho from May 7^th-19^th with the two main partners of Can Tho Eye and Odonto- Stomatology Hospital and Pediatrics Hospital.

The programme has been implemented by the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (Orbis).

The Orbis Flying Eye Hospital’s airplane in Can Tho International Airport. (Photo: FB/Khôi Nguyên Nguyễn)

The Flying Eye Hospital and Can Tho Eye and Odonto- Stomatology Hospital will provide eye check-ups for children aged from 3-15.

After that, the Flying Eye Hospital will offer free surgeries and treatment. It is scheduled to treat 12 children who are suffering eye-related diseases and provide surgeries for 32 others every week.

A training course of ophthalmology will also be arranged for Vietnamese anaesthetists, nurses and technicians, aiming to train them to identify and treat common eye problems seen in local children.

Providing surgeries for local children in the Orbis Flying Eye Hospital’s airplane. (Photo: FB/Khôi Nguyên Nguyễn)

According to Orbis, Vietnam ranks fourth in Asia in the rate of blindness. About 3 million Vietnamese children are estimated to be visually impaired, of whom 23,000 are blind.

It is estimated that around 300,000 children in the Mekong Delta suffering from avoidable vision loss with virtually no paediatric eye care services.

“We are delighted to be back in Vietnam, working with the government and our partners to continue to help build capacity to prevent and manage childhood blindness” said Dr. Jonathan Lord, Orbis Global Medical Director.

“We have set up six paediatric eye centres in Hanoi, Hue, Da Nang, Ho Chi Minh City, and recently in Can Tho and Binh Dinh. Our long-term goal is to develop Can Tho into a paediatric eye care hub for patients in the Mekong Delta, and progress is already underway.”

The Orbis Flying Eye Hospital project has visited 92 nations worldwide. It is the world's only airborne ophthalmic surgical and training facility, while ORBIS is working to support developing countries in preventing blindness and protecting eyesight for their people.

In Vietnam, Orbis has implemented long-term projects since 2000. Its project has successfully implementing its free eye surgery programme in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, Can Tho and Binh Dinh, contributing to bettering the skills of local medical workers in eye caring./.

Compiled by VNF