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Viet Nam
Aug 25, 2019 / 18:59

World’s only flying hospital now in Vietnam

Anh Kiet

This year`s project is aimed at enhancing the capacity of local medical staff for children`s eyes, contributing to developing children`s eye care in the central region of Vietnam.

The world’s only flying hospital began its operation at Vietnam’s Phu Bai International Airport on August 21, for a period of more than three weeks, local media reported.

This is the second visit of the flying hospital to Thua Thien Hue province of Vietnam since 2015. 
 
The hospital is designed and operated inside a Boeing MD-10 aircraft by Orbis, an international non-governmental organization that supports developing countries to prevent blindness and protect people’s vision. Photo: Zing
The hospital is designed and operated inside a Boeing MD-10 aircraft by Orbis, an international non-governmental organization that supports developing countries to prevent blindness and protect people’s vision. Photo: Zing
This year's project is aimed at enhancing the capacity of local medical staff for children's eyes, contributing to developing children's eye care in central region of Vietnam. In detail, it will not only provide surgery training course for 55 ophthalmologists, but also enhance the practical capacity of 37 ophthalmic nurses, biomedical engineering technicians and anesthesiologists. 
 
Orbis aircraft is 55-meter-long, 18-meter-high and has wingspan width of 50 meters. The flying hospital stands out at Phu Bai Airport as this airport often receives Airbus A320 and A321 aircraft with smaller dimensions (38-45m long, 12m high, 36m of wide wingspan). Photo: Zing
Orbis aircraft is 55-meter-long, 18-meter-high and has wingspan width of 50 meters. The flying hospital stands out at Phu Bai Airport as this airport often receives Airbus A320 and A321 aircraft with smaller dimensions (38-45m long, 12m high, 36m of wide wingspan). Photo: Zing
 
Orbis aircraft currently can fly continuously for eight to nine hours. This is the third version of Orbis flying hospital and first took off in 2016. Orbis's first flying hospital is a DC-8 aircraft delivered by the US Airlines in 1980. Then, Orbis used a DC-10 twice as large as the DC-8 by 1992. Photo: Zing
Orbis aircraft currently can fly continuously for eight to nine hours. This is the third version of Orbis flying hospital and first took off in 2016. Orbis's first flying hospital is a DC-8 aircraft delivered by the US Airlines in 1980. Then, Orbis used a DC-10 twice as large as the DC-8 by 1992. Photo: Zing
 
During the stay at Phu Bai Airport, the flying hospital uses its own energy, water and cooling system located on the ground. After leaving Vietnam, Orbis flying hospital will head to Myanmar. Photo: Zing
During the stay at Phu Bai Airport, the flying hospital uses its own energy, water and cooling system located on the ground. After leaving Vietnam, Orbis flying hospital will head to Myanmar. Photo: Zing
The surgical area on Orbis flying hospital is fully equipped with modern medical equipment for various types of ophthalmic surgery such as eye imaging, glaucoma, medical and surgical retina, cataract, strabismus. Photo: Zing
The surgical area on Orbis flying hospital is fully equipped with modern medical equipment for various types of ophthalmic surgery such as eye imaging, glaucoma, medical and surgical retina, cataract, strabismus. Photo: Zing
 
The project will provide eye examination for 230 people and eye treatment for 120 patients in Thua Thien - Hue. The program will take place from August 19 to September 7. Photo: Zing
The project will provide eye examination for 230 people and eye treatment for 120 patients in Thua Thien - Hue. The program will take place from August 19 to September 7. Photo: Zing
In particular, nearly 60 surgeries are expected to be performed on the flying hospital. Doctors in the hospital program are all volunteering and leading ophthalmologists at medical centers and universities in the US, UK and Hong Kong.
 
Surgical cavity is next to a multifunctional room. Doctors can visit patients or perform surgery simulations. Photo: Zing
Surgical cavity is next to a multifunctional room. Doctors can visit patients or perform surgery simulations. Photo: Zing
In addition to the area for examination and surgery, the flying hospital also has a separate compartment like the passenger compartment of ordinary planes with 42 seats for training doctors, nurses and local health workers. 

Images from the operating room will be transmitted directly not only to the training class but also to many parts of the world through a specialized information system. 
 
The person standing in the teaching class is Professor Lam (left) from Hong Kong University. This is the second time Lam has come to Vietnam. Photo: Zing
The person standing in the teaching class is Professor Lam (left) from Hong Kong University. This is the second time Lam has come to Vietnam. Photo: Zing
 
In addition to the area for examination, surgery and training, the hospital also has an operating room, an information technology room and a technical area. Photo: Zing
In addition to the area for examination, surgery and training, the hospital also has an operating room, an information technology room and a technical area. Photo: Zing
More than 50 people work full-time to operate Orbis's special aircraft. The organization said it had visited 1,500 people, made surgery for 800 patients, trained 1,300 doctors, nurses and medical staff in Vietnam from 2006 to the present.

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