The Orbis Flying Eye Hospital Completes Successful Training Project for Women from Conflict Zones

The Orbis Flying Eye Hospital Completes Successful Training Project for Women from Conflict Zones
Under the leadership of, and thanks to, the Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD) and Qatar Charity, the Orbis Flying Eye Hospital has delivered its first international training programme since the pandemic. For a week at the beginning of November, a group of gifted women in eye care from conflict areas receiving humanitarian support from Qatar, undertook simulation training on board the unique aircraft.
This first-of-its-kind programme was designed to bring critical training opportunities to those who may not normally have access, so that they can support more people within their community. Participants from Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, Sudan, Somalia, Syria and Yemen, joined Orbis’s dedicated medical volunteers and staff, for in-depth simulation training on ophthalmic surgical techniques and nursing. This project falls under a new QFFD initiative called ‘Women in Conflict Zones’.
Just as pilots learn to fly planes through simulation training, this programme used virtual reality, cutting-edge prosthetics, and highly sophisticated, life-like mannequins so that the eye care professionals could build their skills and confidence. The dedicated group focused on absorbing as much knowledge as possible – the training utilised 200 artificial eyes during the week.
Esraa Al Naihooman, an ophthalmology resident from Libya said: “It was an amazing week. It was so concentrated and full of information. The expert volunteers were generous and shared everything they have learned over the years. It’s incredible how much we’ve learned in a short period of time. Imagine if we had more time for this, we would master everything! We don’t have access to the same equipment and it’s not familiar to have this kind of simulation training at my hospital. Every small detail during the training was making me happy; I learned a lot.”
“Women ophthalmologists are increasing in my country, and we’re becoming more competitive in the field. It’s good for us to have access to this type of training and learn to apply the perfect techniques, step by step.”

• Geography Afghanistan Iraq Libya Yemen Rep. Sudan Syria Somalia
• Timeline 2022 - 2022
• SDGS Good HealthGender Equality
• Sector Health Care
• Partner Orbis Qatar Charity