The international eye care charity Orbis International will conduct training in 2025 on board the Orbis Flying Eye Hospital, the world’s only fully accredited ophthalmic teaching hospital. The Orbis Flying Eye Hospital also supports the development of healthcare workers in underdeveloped countries through the training programs it conducts. With its primary focus on combating blindness, the hospital delivers its education through local partnerships.
Speaking to The New Times, Dr. John Nkurikiye, Director of the Rwanda International Institute of Ophthalmology, said, “This state-of-the-art airplane is equipped with the latest simulators for teaching eye surgery and includes a modern operating theater for performing complex surgeries. The plane will be in Kigali for about 15 days, and we will share more details with the public as our plans develop.”
He also mentioned that ocular electrophysiology tests would be introduced in this partnership to investigate vision loss, especially in children. “This technology helps differentiate between various genetic causes of visual impairment,” he said, adding, “We are also expanding the use of artificial intelligence to screen diabetic patients for eye complications.”
“This technology is a game-changer, particularly given the shortage of retina specialists. It has been tested locally and has demonstrated high reliability.”
