Hue, Vietnam, August 28, 2019 - Orbis Singapore, an affiliate of Orbis International, is pleased to announce that leading airline VietJet Air has committed a grant of VND23 billion (USD1 million) to support the expansion of Orbis eye treatment facilities across Vietnam. The grant agreement was entered into by both parties at a ceremony to mark the visit of Orbis's Flying Eye Hospital to Hue.
Orbis focuses on the promotion of eye health and prevention of avoidable blindness in developing countries. It has been active in Vietnam since 1996 and currently has 11 treatment and screening centres catering to infants and diabetics. In 2018, the organisation conducted 227,678 screenings and performed 9,297 eye surgeries. Regular screening and treatment are currently given to premature babies such as 2-month old Chip, a premature baby with a birth weight of 1.8kg, and at risk of Retinopathy of Prematurity, which could lead to blindness. Today, Chip has healthy eyes and a bright future, thanks to Orbis-trained doctors and nurses at the existing facilities.
Funds from Vietjet will enable Orbis to expand the number of treatment and screening centres to 17 facilities over the next few years, with the six additional centres to be located in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh, Danang, Dak Lak, Thanh Hoa and Binh Dinh.
“We at VietJet are pleased to help Orbis grow their successful treatment network here in Vietnam that assists infants and older diabetic patients to avoid blindness”, said Dr. Nguyen Thanh Hung, Vice Chairman of Vietjet. “Orbis is a well-known international non-profit organisation with strong backing from the aviation and health communities as well as many other sponsors.”
Norman C.T. Liu, an Orbis Singapore Board Member said, “The VietJet grant will each year literally enable thousands more screenings and treatments to be done in Vietnam to mitigate infant and diabetic retinopathy, which are the cause of 30% of child blindness and blindness in those over age 35 respectively."
Apart from Vietnam, Orbis is also present in 18 countries around the world. Its activities are supported by faculty volunteers and global corporate partners such as AAAASFI, Alcon Foundation, FedEx, Foundation L'OCCITANE, Jebsen, OMEGA, Pfizer, Standard Chartered Bank and Collins Aerospace who share its vision to transform lives through the prevention and treatment of blindness.
About Orbis
Orbis Singapore is an affiliate of Orbis International, a global non-profit organization that brings people together to fight avoidable blindness, restore vision and help ensure no one loses their sight to a preventable, treatable disease. Using its unique tools – over 400 expert medical volunteers, the world’s only Flying Eye Hospital, and an online telemedicine training and consultation platform, Cybersight – Orbis equips developing nations with the skills, resources and knowledge to deliver high-quality eye care to their own people. In collaboration with a global network of local partners, including hospitals, universities, government agencies and ministries of health, Orbis creates long-term, sustainable eye care solutions by providing hands-on ophthalmology training, strengthening healthcare infrastructure and advocating to make eye health a priority. For more information visit sgp.orbis.org.
About Vietjet
Vietjet is the first airline in Vietnam to operate as a new-age airline offering flexible, cost-saving ticket fares and diversified services to meet customers’ demands. It provides not only transport services but also uses the latest e-commerce technologies to offer various products and services for consumers. Vietjet is a member of International Air Transport Association (IATA) with the IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) certificate. Vietjet was named “Best Ultra Low-Cost Airline 2018-2019” and awarded the highest ranking for safety with 7 stars in 2018 by safety and product rating website AirlineRatings.com. Currently, Vietjet offers more than 385 flights daily, carrying more than 65 million passengers to date, with 106 routes covering destinations across Vietnam and international destinations such as Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, mainland China, Thailand, Myanmar, Malaysia and Cambodia. For more information visit www.vietjetair.com.
Media Contact
Elaine Woon
Director
Project Orbis International Inc (Singapore) Ltd
[email protected]
