Orbis Concludes Intensive Ophthalmic Training Program in Davao, Philippines

Program concluded with great success resulting in 85 medical professionals trained and 82 patients treated

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Jun 20, 2014, 02:04 ET

NEW YORK, June 20, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Orbis, a leading global non-governmental organization (NGO) that works to eliminate avoidable blindness, concluded a highly successful two-week ophthalmic training program with the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) and the Davao Society for Ophthalmology (DSO). During the program (8-19 June 2014) 43 doctors received advanced ophthalmic subspecialty training, while 28 nurses and 14 biomedical engineers received hands-on training and lectures. A total of 82 patients were treated in partnership with the SPMC team, Orbis staff, and Orbis expert Volunteer Faculty, a dedicated global network of medical professionals, who provide ophthalmic education and instruction.

Orbis Volunteer Faculty partner with local eye care professionals to teach and train to build local skills in eye care. (PRNewsFoto/Orbis)

Orbis has a long history in Philippines with the first program taking place in 1982. Since then, Orbis has performed various training programs around the country both in local hospitals such as in Davao and through the Flying Eye Hospital. (PRNewsFoto/Orbis)

Orbis's logo. Orbis launched a new brand identity in 2014. (PRNewsFoto/Orbis)

"The training program provided a unique opportunity for skills exchange and learning between our Volunteer Faculty, Orbis staff and the SPMC ophthalmic community," explains Dr. Ahmed Gomaa, Medical Director of the Orbis Flying Eye Hospital. "We provided hands-on training opportunities for the residents to help enhance their skills and confidence. We are very impressed with their clinical skill and are grateful for the generous support of our hosts at SPMC."

In the Philippines, it is estimated that 3.9 million people are visually impaired and 600,000 people are blind. Orbis partnered with DSO and SPMC, to develop and conduct a training program to address the local eye care needs in Davao with a focus on cataract, retinal diseases, glaucoma, pediatric cataract and oculoplastics.

Orbis has a long history in Philippines with the first program taking place in 1982. Since then, Orbis has performed various training programs around the country by using the Orbis Flying Eye Hospital and, as in Davao, in the local partner hospital. The Orbis team will continue their support of the ophthalmic community in the Philippines with a further skills exchange program commencing in Pampanga, Philippines.

About Prevention of Blindness Worldwide
On a global scale, 285 million people are visually impaired. An estimated 80 percent of all visual impairment can be avoided or cured. Approximately 90 percent of all visually impaired people live in developing countries.

About Orbis
Orbis prevents and treats blindness through hands-on training, public health education, improved access to quality eye care, advocacy and partnerships with local health care organizations. By building long-term capabilities, Orbis helps its partner institutions take action to reach a state where they can provide, on their own, quality eye care services that are affordable, accessible, and sustainable. To learn more about Orbis, please visit www.orbis.org.

Related Links
Learn more about Orbis

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SOURCE Orbis