ORBIS UPDATE
Plans for countries other than Bangladesh :
" What I can do as the chief of the organization from outside is to look at the Orbis programmes around the world ." Currently the organization is implementing 56 programmes in 18 countries , " and perhaps we could take lessons from other countries where similar but very effective programmes are in progress and we could collaborate to shape things differently that are valuable here in Bangladesh ." " I could facilitate collaboration that could lead to enhancing skills of stakeholders here in Bangladesh by learning from other countries ," Bob said . For instance , the development of a new application for an eye care hospital in , say for instance , in China and sharing the same in Bangladesh could perhaps greatly help doctors or other staff members . So I can help in this way by learning from global community where Orbis works . Bob , also a pilot having over 30 years of experience as a strategist and team leader , talked about how to do good and achieving the good things . He said that people feel good to give but what is the result of that giving ? " So if you give to an organization that is building a population of eye care professionals so that more and more people get care – in fact , you are changing society , families and communities – it is a lasting change ." He referred to Philanthropy Age which has a motto of ‘" making every dollar count " and said : " Philanthropy Age community was born with the philosophy of Zakat ( followed in Islam religion ). The organization believes in not just giving but ensuring effective use of funds . Philanthropy Age has a partnership with Orbis now funding a three-year training programme and we are building a simulation centre so that doctors can get hands on training without having to touch a patient in the basic skills , much like a pilot where there are opportunities for perfection through trial and error without actually harming anyone ." He added : " We want to help Bangladesh access such technology in which doctors should be able to practice simulation surgeries so that a doctor does not learn lessons practicing on a child ’ s eye . The first time you operate on a child you want to be perfect . And so they are doing wonderful to see what they are focused on ."
On the Flying Eye Hospital and how it contributes in transferring technology :
" The FEH is a state of the art – it ’ s got the latest machines , new hospital airflow technology to prevent infections , latest practice in how you walk through doors that prevents infection and many more latest technologies . We can orient local doctors on what is the next state of the art technology for them ," said Bob . " Sometimes it ' s not helpful to go from what you do now to state of the art technology because the jump is often too big . We can help doctors go from state of the art to the next state that is useful . We can also advise doctors on what new technology they should be looking for . And so helping them in this manner is more valuable than just saying here is the state of the art technology ." " The reason I am saying this is that sometimes state of the art technology comes with bill for consumables and support that ’ s not affordable . And so you want to be able to do state of the possible and consumables that are long lasting . What we do is we bring in biomedical technicians and people who are experienced in repairing machines ." Bob added : " We don ’ t want to go back to a country where a piece of equipment is broken and nobody is able to repair it . We want to ensure that they can maintain the equipment and keep it running optimally . So I am in favour of a sustainable development – bring capabilities that are long lasting , that would help people in the long run . From a pediatric perspective we have experienced this in Zambia where from just one pediatric ophthalmologist we now have multiple trainers who continue training others ." The Orbis , Bob added , has been in Bangladesh for more than three decades believing in sustainable partnership . " And we wish to continue this partnership to give new technologies in eye health to Bangladeshi people . May be one day Bangladesh would not need us . But for now there are huge challenges . As a helping organization we want to train as many doctors as possible so that patients get the real benefit ." [ IDN-InDepthNews – 16 March 2018 ]
You can help more people in Bangladesh today . Please give the gift of sight . Click here ( http :// www . orbis . org / chinaonline ) to donate .
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