PUNE: Dr. Samita Moolani, a distinguished ophthalmologist from Pune, has returned from Kigali, where she played a key role as a Volunteer Surgeon in Orbis International’s inaugural mission of the Flying Eye Hospital in Rwanda. The mission, a historic first for the country, spanned two transformative weeks aboard the world’s only fully accredited ophthalmic teaching hospital on an aircraft. Orbis+1visionmonday.com
A Milestone Mission: Bridging Continents in the Skies
- The Orbis Flying Eye Hospital touched down in Kigali on July 18, 2025, marking the start of an unprecedented ophthalmic training initiative in Rwanda.Orbis
- The mission, running from July 21 to August 1, represented the 84th country visit by the aircraft since its formation in 1982.Orbisvisionmonday.com
- Undertaken in collaboration with the Rwanda Ministry of Health, Rwanda International Institute of Ophthalmology (RIIO), and Kibagabaga Hospital, the project aimed to strengthen local eye care capabilities.OrbisOptometry Timesvisionmonday.com
Training with Technology and Teamwork
- In week one, simulation-based training—funded by the Alcon Foundation—introduced local teams to techniques such as MSICS and phacoemulsification, using cutting-edge VR tools co-developed with FundamentalVR. These tools are being donated to RIIO for continued local use.Orbis+1visionmonday.comEyewire+
- Week two, supported by OMEGA, shifted focus to hands-on surgical practice, covering key subspecialties including cataract, strabismus, oculoplastics, and medical retina. Participants included not only surgeons, but also anesthesiologists, nurses, and biomedical engineers.OrbisOptometry Timesvisionmonday.comEyewire+
- The mission also featured a live demonstration of surgical techniques, with classroom-style viewing from the aircraft’s interior enhanced by streaming and two-way audio communication between surgeons and trainees. Angels in MedicineXinhua News
Spotlight on Dr. Samita Moolani: Surgeon, Mentor, Inspiration
For Dr. Moolani, this represented her third assignment with Orbis—and a unique milestone: her first time performing advanced surgery on the Flying Eye Hospital aircraft.
“As a surgeon, how many people can say they have operated on a plane? An invitation to participate in these projects is an absolute honour,” she reflected.
Throughout the mission, Dr. Moolani took the lead in teaching phacoemulsification cataract surgery aboard the plane’s state-of-the-art operating theatre. She also devoted several days to mentoring local surgeons at Kibagabaga Hospital, enabling Rwandan clinicians—many experiencing guided phacoemulsification for the first time—to build confidence and competence.
“In my regular practice, I focus on patients only, but on this project, teaching was as important as patient care. It was exciting and humbling to collaborate with an international team and work in such a unique environment, a fully-equipped hospital onboard a plane.”
She also expressed deep gratitude to her fellow volunteers:
“I’m deeply thankful to the Orbis team — the culture, positivity, and enthusiasm of every member were unmatched.”
A Legacy of Sight—and Future Vision
Rwanda, with just 30 ophthalmologists for over 13 million people, faces a critical shortage in eye care services. Cataracts remain a leading cause of avoidable vision impairment, and nearly a third of referred patients lack access to surgery. Xinhua NewsAssociation of OptometristsAngels in Medicine
This mission aimed not just to restore sight to dozens of patients, but to empower local practitioners with technology, techniques, and training that will endure long after the plane departs—advancing Rwanda’s eye care infrastructure and education.
Long-term partnerships, including AI-based diabetic retinopathy screening through Cybersight, underscore Orbis’s ongoing commitment to the region.OrbisOptometry Timesvisionmonday.comWikipedia
Looking Ahead
Dr. Moolani’s extraordinary contribution highlights the extraordinary power of global medical collaboration. Her work aboard the Flying Eye Hospital exemplifies what happens when expertise meets opportunity—elevating local practitioners and offering renewed vision to communities in need.