Guv welcomes Flying Eye Hospital

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

ILOILO Governor Arthur Defensor Sr. welcomed the Flying Eye Hospital of Orbis International, which landed at the Iloilo Airport in Cabatuan, Iloilo on Tuesday.

Orbis will conduct a three-week medical program to increase the clinical and surgical abilities of local eye care in the Western Visayas.

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The Flying Eye Hospital, a converted DC-10 aircraft and the world’s only ophthalmic surgical and training hospital with wings, will stay in Iloilo for two weeks and then transfer to Bacolod City on the third week.

The Orbis medical team will conduct an intensive skills exchange program for eye care professionals and deliver sight-saving surgeries to pre-screened patients suffering from visual impairment in partnership with the Western Visayas Medical Center.

ILOILO. Governor Arthur Defensor Sr. welcomes the medical team from Orbis International and officials of FedEx Corp. during the opening program at the Iloilo Airport terminal. (Contributed photo)

ILOILO. The Flying Eye Hospital of Orbis International at the Iloilo Airport in Cabatuan, Iloilo. (Contributed photo)

ILOILO. The Orbis International medical team at work inside the Flying Eye Hospital. (Contributed photo)

Defensor lauded the men and women behind Orbis International and FedEx Corp. for bringing the Flying Eye Hospital program to Iloilo which is expected to benefit many Ilonggos with eye problems especially the poor.

“I am sure your visit to Iloilo will long be remembered and treasured by our people,” Defensor said.

Rhicke Jennings, Managing Director of FedEx Philippines; Dr. Carlos Solarte, Medical Director of Flying Eye Hospital; Dr. Josefina Salazar-Yap, President of Philippine Academy of Ophthalmology–Western Visayas; Dr. Jose Mari Fermin, Medical Center Chief of Western Visayas Medical Center, and other officials of FedEx and Orbis International graced the opening program.

After the opening program, the guests including the members of the media were allowed to have a tour of the Flying Eye Hospital.

Orbis International is a non-profit, humanitarian organization dedicated to saving sight worldwide.

FedEx has been the leading aviation sponsor of Orbis for 30 years, providing millions of dollars of support in cash and in-kind contributions. (PR)