The Orbis Flying Eye Hospital project has officially launched in Kigali, paving the way for long-term improvements in eye care across Rwanda.
The Orbis Flying Eye Hospital landed in Kigali, Rwanda, on Friday July 18 2025, marking the beginning of a historic two-week training project. This is the first time this one-of-a-kind aircraft has visited Rwanda, where our teams of clinical staff and Volunteer Faculty will work alongside the Rwanda International Institute of Ophthalmology (RIIO) at our partner hospital, Kibagabaga Hospital.
Gallery: The Flying Eye Hospital landed safely thanks to our team of dedicated volunteer pilots.
Over the following weekend, the Flying Eye Hospital team transformed the plane into a fully functioning ophthalmic teaching facility, equipped to train local doctors, nurses, anesthesiologists, and biomedical engineers in the latest techniques in eye care.
Gallery: The team got straight to work transforming our one-of-a-kind aircraft into "hospital mode"
Week one, sponsored by the Alcon Foundation, kicked off on Monday Jul 21, with a focus on simulation-based learning, giving doctors an opportunity to safely practice complex surgical skills. Local teams are using virtual reality (VR) tools developed by Orbis in partnership with FundamentalVR, to deepen their skills in two types of cataract surgery: manual small-incision cataract surgery (MSICS) and phacoemulsification. When the project finishes, the VR tools will be donated to RIIO so future generations of ophthalmologists can continue to hone their technique in a safe environment.
Gallery: Simulation training on board the Flying Eye Hospital in Rwanda
Maurice Geary, Flying Eye Hospital Director, said in an interview with the Rwanda Broadcasting Agency, "We've had an incredible week here and I'm so grateful for the help we've received from the Ministry of Health and from the Rwanda Airports and Aviation Authority, who really allow us to deliver this project and work with RIO to train doctors here.
"We've been working with the residents from RIO, and they're a wonderful group of young doctors who are committed to delivering care in the future in their communities," he continued.
The Rwanda Broadcasting Agency aired an hour long segment with Maurice Geary, Flying Eye Hospital Director and Ciku Mathenge, Medical Advisor.
With just 30 ophthalmologists serving a population of over 13 million in Rwanda, this sight-saving training is vital for the future of eye care in Rwanda.
We are incredibly grateful to the Alcon Foundation, our Title Sponsor for Week One, whose long-standing partnership has made this life-changing work possible. From donating essential supplies through Alcon Cares, to providing critical funding through the Alcon Foundation, their support helps power these projects.
Alcon sponsored week one of our Flying Eye Hospital project.
Week two, sponsored by OMEGA, began with our Flying Eye Hospital team welcoming patients on board the plane for screening and surgery. With simulation training complete, our Volunteer Faculty transitioned to hands-on surgical training with local eye care teams, focusing on pediatric strabismus and oculoplastics. These sight-restoring surgeries are not only transforming lives today; they’re equipping Rwandan eye health professionals with skills and confidence that will last long after the plane departs.
Image gallery: Week two kicks off on board the Flying Eye Hospital
As ever, all children who received surgery on board the plane were given a cuddly Seymour the Bear—our mascot, generously donated by OMEGA, to help them through their journey to clear sight.
We are incredibly grateful to OMEGA, our Title Sponsor for week two, whose generous support is helping make this project in Rwanda a reality. OMEGA’s commitment to improving access to eye care is helping deliver life-changing care and build skills that will benefit communities for years to come.
We'd also like to say a big thank you to our supporters, without whom, none of this would be possible.
After completing simulation training, our Volunteer Faculty guided local eye care teams through hands-on surgeries focused on pediatric strabismus and oculoplastics. These sight-restoring procedures didn’t just change lives in the operating room; they built skills and confidence that will keep making an impact long after the plane has gone.
Dr. Ciku Mathenge, Medical Advisor for Orbis in Africa, shared: “For my students, this is a life-changing experience. Many of them have never been on a plane, but to be on a plane where you're learning ophthalmology from world experts, they have expressed that this was such a great two weeks.”
Image gallery: Week two saw hands-on surgical training on adults and children
Thank you to everyone who helped make this project happen. We couldn't have done it without the support of our Title Sponsors, Alcon Foundation and OMEGA, and our incredible team of Volunteer Faculty who donate their time and expertise to train the doctors around the world.
We're so proud of the hard work of all of the Rwandan participants and are excited to see them continue training with new virtual reality tools, donated by Orbis.
Stay tuned for the plane to take flight again later this year for our upcoming project in Ghana! See you then.
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