奥比斯眼科飞机医院为眼病患者带来福音

Orbis International, and its global team of volunteer eye care specialists, have brought their flying eye hospital to the coastal city of Dalian, in Liaoning province. The Orbis team will join with local doctors, providing operations for some needy patients. Reporter Ma Xu from Dalian TV tells us how volunteers play a vital role in the charity program.

On board the flying hospital are 10 volunteers from Canada, the US and the UK, making up a third of the medical staff. A Chinese Canadian volunteer says she learned about Orbis International as a medical student, and she wants to learn something from the other volunteer doctors, some of the best in their fields.

Dr. Cynthia Qian, Canadian Volunteer, said, "Our goal is to disseminate our knowledge and set up infrastructure where they can give and provide care, for anybody who needs eye care, bring the knowledge and accessibility to anyone who needs better vision for today and for the future."

A doctor from the US says it's his sixth volunteer mission for Orbis. He's also helped patients in Myanmar, Tanzania and South Africa. He's using his vacation time to come to China.

Dr. Bil Ragen, American Volunteer, said, "It's a fun thing to do. These patients have certain needs. We can provide service to them that are not available here, and it is just good thing to donate your time and energy."

Orbis International has a pool of over 450 volunteers around the world, all noted doctors in the fields. Every 2 years, they update their volunteer team. Full-time employees are responsible for planning and arrangements, and volunteers, for patient care, surgery and medical training. Volunteers can be reached online even when their mission on the flying hospital is finished.

Hunter Cherwek, Medical Director, Orbis International, said, "Volunteers are critical to Orbis international, we get some best volunteers in the world. It's all about networking, bring the best people in the world and China to work together."

Since 1982 when the flying eye hospital was set up in the US, the volunteer teams of Orbis International trained 124 thousand doctors in more than 80 countries. With up-to-date medical skills from volunteers, an increasing number of visually impaired people in underdeveloped areas will get timely treatment and be able to fulfill their dream.