For the first time, Rwanda is playing host to the Flying Eye Hospital — a world-class aircraft turned into a mobile eye surgery and training centre. The programme, which begins on July 29 and will last for two weeks, is taking place at the Kigali International Airport.
This unique initiative is being led by Orbis International, a global non-profit organisation, in collaboration with Rwanda’s Ministry of Health. The programme is also supported by the Rwanda International Institute of Ophthalmology (RIIO) and Kibagabaga Hospital. The goal is to improve access to quality eye care in Rwanda and boost the skills of local eye health professionals.
The Flying Eye Hospital is a specially converted MD-10 aircraft. Inside, it is fully equipped with an operating theatre, a classroom, and a modern simulation centre. It allows for both eye surgery and hands-on training to take place simultaneously.
Dr. John Nkurikiye, who is the Chief Ophthalmologist at RIIO, said the programme will train a total of 30 ophthalmology residents and young doctors, 16 biomedical engineers, 32 nurses, and 16 anaesthesiologists. He explained that surgeries will be performed both on the aircraft and at Kibagabaga Hospital in Kigali. All treatments are free of charge.
Patients who will benefit from the surgeries were selected through a national screening process conducted by RIIO. They were referred by eye specialists across Rwanda. Many of the patients are suffering from cataracts, childhood eye problems, crossed eyes (also known as strabismus), and severe vision loss that requires visual aids.
One major focus of the programme is skill-building. Rwandan healthcare workers are receiving training in advanced surgical techniques, especially in cataract removal — a common cause of blindness. The training also involves the use of simulation tools, such as Orbis’s virtual reality (VR) platform. This allows trainees to practise eye surgery techniques in a safe, computer-generated environment before operating on real patients.
German medical device company Haag-Streit has partnered with Orbis to provide 30 hours of VR-based surgical training. This is part of a broader effort to help build long-term capacity in Rwanda’s eye care system.
In addition to training, Orbis is donating high-tech ophthalmic equipment to RIIO. This donation will help improve the institute’s ability to offer advanced treatments and continue to train eye care professionals even after the Flying Eye Hospital departs.
According to Orbis, Rwanda is the 84th country to host the Flying Eye Hospital since the programme began in 1982. Over the years, the aircraft has brought advanced eye care and surgical training to communities in need across Asia, Africa, Latin America, and beyond.
Dr. Nkurikiye expressed optimism about the programme’s long-term impact. “This is not just a one-time visit. It’s a partnership that will help us train more experts, perform more surgeries, and prevent avoidable blindness across Rwanda,” he said.
The arrival of the Flying Eye Hospital in Kigali has been widely praised as a major step forward for eye health in Rwanda. It also marks a significant example of how international partnerships can help improve local healthcare systems in Africa.
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