We have postponed all the Hospital Based Trainings, Program launches and various other events/ activities scheduled in March- April, 2020. Our in-country programs will operate within the limits of local COVID-19 restrictions, which vary by the state. As always, we are working closely with our partners and Program team to continually re-evaluate operations as the situation evolves.
While we are deliberating on how we change implementation of our Programs, we ensure that we will remain connected. Through Cybersight, Orbis’s award-winning telemedicine platform, we continue our work to prevent and treat blindness in a safe, socially responsible way. We are investigating ways to expand our Cybersight activity as we expect a spike in the demand for remote learning and teleconsultation services. The Flying Eye Hospital has been temporarily grounded, across the world. As the health and safety of our staff, volunteers, partners, and people we train and help are our #1 priority, we believe this is the right thing to do.
We have temporarily closed our India country office; with staff working from home. We anticipate some delays in mail processing during this time, and ask for your understanding.
Finally, as a global eye health organization we wish to stress the importance of proper hygiene and sanitation in preventing the spread of disease. These topics are routinely integrated into our training programs for local eye health teams and community education. To reduce the spread of COVID-19, we encourage everyone to heed the advice of the World Health Organization and take basic protective measures against the virus.
Orbis stands in solidarity with our health colleagues across the country. We applaud the frontline health workers who are operating around the clock. And we thank you, our friends and supporters, for your continued commitment to our mission.
