FedEx hosts tour of Orbis sight-saver at Dubai

The aircraft, maintained and supported on the ground by FedEx Express , has an onboard hospital that brings together dedicated eye care professionals and aviators to give the gift of sight to developing countries around the world.

As part of the ORBIS International capacity building effort, the converted DC-10 aircraft was in Dubai between missions and was visited by senior executives from Dubai Civil Aviation, Dubai Airports, FedEx and the media.

“We are grateful to the Dubai authorities for their accommodation and support of our global mission. We’re also appreciative of the continued support from FedEx on the financial, logistical and operational level for ORBIS and the Flying Eye Hospital,” said ORBIS Operations Director and former FedEx Express pilot Bruce Johnson.

The ORBIS Flying Eye Hospital stopped in Dubai for two weeks to undergo routine technical maintenance and an operational team shuffle before taking off on its next goodwill mission to Dalian, Northern China.

As a global sponsor of ORBIS for more than 20 years, FedEx has committed its unparalleled networks, dedicated employees and vast aviation expertise to assist ORBIS in delivering the gift of sight to countless individuals throughout the developing world.  FedEx also provides free shipping services to ORBIS, ensuring that much-needed medical supplies arrive at ORBIS’s worldwide program locations when needed.

According to the World Health Organization, 45 million people worldwide are blind with 80 percent of blindness being treatable or preventable and more than 90 percent of the world’s visually impaired living in developing countries with limited or no access to proper healthcare.

“FedEx is proud to be a global sponsor of ORBIS and the Delivering Sight Worldwide initiative to increase awareness about avoidable blindness,” said Hamdi Osman, senior vice president, FedEx Express Middle East , Indian Subcontinent and Africa  “We are privileged to be able to provide ORBIS with critical aviation support and equally delighted with FedEx pilots who volunteer their time to fly the Flying Eye Hospital to medical program locations worldwide.”