NEW YORK, June 25, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Orbis, in
cooperation with longtime global sponsor FedEx, is bringing the
Flying Eye Hospital back to Pampanga, Philippines for a two-week intensive
ophthalmic skills exchange program aimed at strengthening the
skills and subspecialty training of ophthalmologists throughout the
Central Luzon region.
In conjunction with Jose B.
Lingad Memorial Hospital and with support from the Central
Luzon Society of Ophthalmology, the program will strengthen the
delivery of eye care services in Central Luzon by improving the
skills and knowledge of the local ophthalmic community in cataract
pediatric ophthalmology, orbits and oculoplastics, adult glaucoma,
and medical retina.
"Orbis has been working for many years to improve the quality of
ophthalmic services in the
Philippines through a combination of different training
programs," said Dr. Ahmed Gomaa,
Medical Director of the Orbis Flying Eye Hospital. "We look forward
to the Flying Eye Hospital's visit to Pampanga and are grateful to
our longtime sponsor, FedEx, whose generous support has made it
possible for Orbis to conduct programs all over the world. We are
excited to continue working together to eliminate avoidable
blindness and deliver the highest standards of training."
The Pampanga program will continue to help raise public
attention on the eye care conditions and challenges faced in the
country. Cataract is the leading cause of blindness worldwide and
in the Philippines accounts for
more than half a million cases annually. The cost of healthcare
services in urban areas and a lack of trained specialists for
residents of rural areas represent two of the biggest obstacles to
improving access to eye care in the country.
"As the global sponsor for more than 30 years, FedEx continues
to support the Orbis mission to eliminate avoidable blindness
worldwide," said Rhicke Jennings, managing director, FedEx Express
Philippines and Indonesia.
"Supporting programs that address the social needs of local
communities is a vital component of the FedEx long-term commitment
to the Philippines. This year's
Pampanga visit gives us the opportunity to support Orbis in its
goal of eliminating avoidable blindness in the country."
As part of its global initiative to combat avoidable blindness
and in support of Orbis's skills exchange approach, FedEx will
sponsor a fellowship to a promising ophthalmologist in the Philippines. The FedEx Fellowship, which
began in 2006, has been awarded to ophthalmologists from
China, Cambodia, the Dominican Republic, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Peru,
the Philippines and Vietnam.
About Orbis
Orbis is a nonprofit, humanitarian organization that 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.
About FedEx Corp.
FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) provides customers and businesses
worldwide with a broad portfolio of transportation, e-commerce and
business services. With annual revenues of $46 billion, the company offers integrated
business applications through operating companies competing
collectively and managed collaboratively, under the respected FedEx
brand. Consistently ranked among the world's most admired and
trusted employers, FedEx inspires its more than 300,000 team
members to remain "absolutely, positively" focused on safety, the
highest ethical and professional standards and the needs of their
customers and communities. For more information, visit
news.fedex.com
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SOURCE Orbis