HONG KONG, September 27, 2016 — Orbis, the globally renowned non-governmental organization (NGO) and FedEx Express (FedEx) today jointly announced the launch of the third generation Orbis Flying Eye Hospital’s inaugural tour in Hong Kong, following its maiden sight-saving mission in Shenyang, China. The visit from now to October 2 will feature guided tours of the plane’s many state-of-the-art facilities so that the public can learn more about Orbis’s sight-saving mission.
More than six years in the making, the new Flying Eye Hospital is the world’s only mobile ophthalmic teaching hospital, on board an MD-10 aircraft donated to Orbis by its longtime aviation sponsor, FedEx. Hundreds of experts, including FedEx aircraft maintenance team, contributed their avionics, hospital engineering, technology and clinical expertise to the transformation of the aircraft into today’s Flying Eye Hospital. The new state-of-the-art plane features a modular design, 3D technology and live broadcast capabilities, empowering Orbis and its Volunteer Faculty to train more doctors, nurses and healthcare professionals – ultimately restoring more sight.
“The Flying Eye Hospital plays a vital role in Orbis’s mission to bring the world together to fight blindness. Equal parts teacher, envoy and advocate, this powerful tool energizes change as we implement key long-term global initiatives,” said Paul Forrest, chief development officer, Orbis International. Speaking at the opening ceremony, Forrest expressed his heartfelt thanks to Orbis Hong Kong’s many donors and sponsors for their tireless support. “Our launch of this new third-generation Flying Eye Hospital not only marks a new chapter in our shared sight-saving journey, but also brings us a significant step closer to our dream of eliminating avoidable blindness forever.”
FedEx has supported Orbis for more than 33 years through more than US$22 million in donations and in-kind shipping. In June this year, FedEx announced its renewed commitment to fighting avoidable blindness with a US$5.375 million commitment to Orbis for five years, including financial, logistics and operational support.
“FedEx is proud to help Orbis’s sight-saving vision take flight,” said Anthony Leung, managing director, FedEx Express, Hong Kong and Macau. “We are excited to see many more people benefit from the new Flying Eye Hospital in the future. In addition, as a global sponsor of Orbis, FedEx sponsors the FedEx Fellowship program for ophthalmologists, delivers critical medical supplies to Orbis programs around the world, and provides volunteer pilots to fly the Flying Eye Hospital.”
Prior to its visit to Hong Kong, the Flying Eye Hospital completed its maiden sight-saving mission in Shenyang, China earlier this September. FedEx volunteer pilots, Captain David Blizzard and Captain Michael Flood then flew the aircraft from Shenyang to Hong Kong.
For more than 30 years, Orbis has helped countries build the skills and resources they need to prioritize and deliver quality eye care to their local communities. Their team of over 400 expert medical volunteers, from 30 countries, accomplishes this by training local medical teams both in their hospitals and on the Flying Eye Hospital, with an emphasis on quality and safety standards for patient care.
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 www.orbis.org/launch and follow the organization’s work on Facebook and Instagram.
About FedEx Express
FedEx Express is the world’s largest express transportation company, providing fast and reliable delivery to more than 220 countries and territories. FedEx Express uses a global air-and-ground network to speed delivery of time-sensitive shipments, by a definite time and date with a money-back guarantee[1].
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 $58 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 400,000 team members to remain “absolutely, positively” focused on safety, the highest ethical and professional standards and the needs of their customers and communities. To learn more about how FedEx connects people and possibilities around the world, please visit about.fedex.com.
[1] Subject to relevant terms and conditions