Dr Samita Moolani, an ophthalmologist from Pune, recently returned from Kigali, Rwanda, where she served as a Volunteer Surgeon on Orbis International’s groundbreaking Flying Eye Hospital project.
This initiative marked the first-ever program by Orbis and the state-of-the-art Flying eye hospital in Rwanda. “Orbis International has been a prominent name in Global eye care since over 40 years. This was my third project with them, but my first one performing advanced surgery on the plane. The plane is a state-of-the-art eye clinic fully equipped with an Operating theatre. As a surgeon, how many people can say they have operated on a plane. An invitation to participate in these projects is an absolute honour," beams Dr Samita.
During the week-long project, Dr Moolani’s primary responsibility was to teach phacoemulsification cataract surgery in the Flying Eye Hospital’s advanced operating theatre. Dr Moolani also spent several days at a local Rwandan hospital, mentoring local medical staff and expanding their clinical skills. For many Rwandan surgeons, this was the first opportunity to perform hands-on phacoemulsification cataract surgeries under expert supervision.
This project represents Dr Moolani’s third project with Orbis International as a Volunteer Surgeon. She expressed deep gratitude to the Orbis team, noting the unmatched culture, positivity, and enthusiasm of every member involved.
The ultimate aim of Orbis missions is to enhance local resources and empower local doctors, equipping them with advanced surgical skills to improve patient outcomes long after the mission concludes.
The Orbis Flying Eye Hospital – a fully-equipped teaching hospital onboard an airplane – delivers high-impact training, mentorship, and sight-saving procedures to underserved communities worldwide.
The Rwanda initiative restored vision to numerous local patients and established a foundation for ongoing ophthalmic excellence within the region’s healthcare system.
“In my regular practice, I focus on patients only, but on this project, teaching was as important as patient care. It was exciting and humbling to collaborate with an international team and work in such a unique environment a fully-equipped hospital onboard a plane," she sums up.
