Orbis International Ends Affiliation With Orbis Taiwan

NEW YORK, Aug. 10, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Project Orbis International, Inc., the NGO whose mission it is to eliminate avoidable blindness throughout Asia and around the world and operates the world's only Flying Eye Hospital, has ended its affiliation with the independent legal entity known as Orbis Taiwan. The action was prompted by the refusal of Dr. Ray Tsai to step down as Executive Director and Chairman of the Orbis Taiwan Board of Directors. Orbis International had requested that Dr. Tsai step down after he pled guilty in November of 2015 to violating Taiwan pharmaceutical laws by diluting eye drops and administering the impermissibly diluted eye drops to patients in his private ophthalmology practice. After an investigation, the Orbis International Board of Directors determined that this serious breach of law, and clinical and ethical standards, disqualified Dr. Tsai from remaining as part of the Orbis International family. Accordingly, the independent legal entity that was affiliated with Orbis International and known as Orbis Taiwan will not be involved with Orbis programs and activities in Asia and around the world.

"Orbis International will continue our work in Asia and around the world to eliminate avoidable blindness. We sincerely thank our many donors in Taiwan who have supported Orbis since 2003. We also want to assure them that the Orbis organization remains strong, continues to do outstanding work and is committed to the highest standards," said Bob Ranck, President and CEO of Orbis International. Supporters who want to support Orbis's sight-saving efforts can make their donations directly at www.orbis.org.

Dr. Tsai pled guilty to the Taipei District Prosecutors Office in November of 2015 to violating Taiwan pharmaceutical laws after an investigation by the Taipei Department of Health and the Taipei Department of Investigation. The Taipei District Prosecutors Office accepted his guilty plea and deferred indictment of Dr. Tsai. Orbis International requested that Dr. Tsai have no further role with Orbis Taiwan believing that his conduct made him unfit to participate as an Orbis Volunteer Faculty member or to lead Orbis Taiwan. 

Because of these unfortunate events, regretfully we have had to cancel the Flying Eye Hospital's Taipei visit planned for October 14-23. Supporters who want to see the aircraft during its initial launch tour can visit the MD-10 in Hong Kong (September  27 – October 2) or Macau (October 6 – 10) by contacting Lawrence Lee at [email protected].

About Orbis

Orbis is a leading global non-governmental organization that has been a pioneer in the prevention and treatment of blindness for over 30 years. Orbis transforms lives by delivering the skills, resources and knowledge needed to deliver accessible quality eye care. Working in collaboration with local partners including hospitals, universities, government agencies and ministries of health, Orbis provides hands-on ophthalmology training, strengthens healthcare infrastructure and advocates for the prioritization of eye health on public health agendas. Orbis operates the world's only Flying Eye Hospital, a fully accredited ophthalmic teaching hospital on board an MD-10 aircraft. To learn more about Orbis and to get involved, please visit Orbis.org and follow the organization's work on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.  

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Silvana Vivas
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SOURCE ORBIS International

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http://www.orbis.org/