Built onboard a DC 10 aircraft, the 25-member medical crew flew into Mumbai on October 11 after a week-long programme in Delhi involving 200 ophthalmologists. After their stint here, the crew will take off to the next stop, China, said Orbis vice-president Asia, Carolyn L Brehm at a press conference. The hospital's maiden visit to Mumbai has been organised in association with ministry of health and family welfare, Central Government, the state government, Bombay Ophthalmologists' Association and JJ Hospital.

The Orbis team comprises ophthalmologists culled from a pool of 375 volunteers, nurses and bio-medical technicians. Cases of severe visual impairment at JJ have been selected for treatment.Training of local ophthalmologists and nurses has also been given priority. ``By training the trainers, more effective treatment can be ensured,'' remarked Brehm.

Dedicated to fighting avoidable blindness, Orbis has, till date, carried out 357 programmes in 79 countries, as well as trained 41,000 doctors and nurses in sight-saving skills. It embarked on its maiden flight in 1982 and has circled the globe four times. Orbis also recently introduced off-plane visits to impart skills to doctors in areas where the planes cannot land. ``We also plan to leave behind some of our equipment for local doctors,'' said Harish Nayak, chief ophthalmologist. Orbis will also donate vital medicines to hospitals in smaller towns during their off-plane visits. ``The operation theatre and other diagnostic centres on board the aircraft are fitted with 15 video cameras, and the surgery is shown live to local doctors and nurses on monitors in the classroom,'' said a spokesperson. The flying hospital also has a studio wherecoverage of the operations is edited to make video tapes.

Orbis has also launched an awareness campaign with Eye Bank Association of India on the need for cornea donations. Pamphlets and sign-up forms will be handed out by volunteers through 40 PCOs in the city, manned by the visually impaired.