Orbis International

Orbis International We believe in a world where everyone can access the eye care they need to thrive.

Meet Sharmin, a Mid‑Level Ophthalmic Personnel (MLOP) at GUK Eye Hospital in Bangladesh—and one of the people helping th...
06/08/2026

Meet Sharmin, a Mid‑Level Ophthalmic Personnel (MLOP) at GUK Eye Hospital in Bangladesh—and one of the people helping the Bloomberg Philanthropies Vision reach communities that are often overlooked.

Sharmin has worked at GUK for four years, and alongside her hospital responsibilities, she supports regular outreach activities to identify cataract patients and connect them to care.

Each outreach camp requires more than clinical skills. It takes patience, clear communication, and trust—especially when people are seeking help for the first time or are unsure what treatment involves. Sharmin’s role is about making the pathway to surgery feel understandable and manageable.

She also speaks proudly about the wider impact: helping people access services, sharing eye health information in the community, and showing what women’s leadership looks like in eye care delivery.

A huge thank you to Bloomberg Philanthropies for supporting the Comprehensive Cataract Services Project—and to the Orbis Bangladesh team and partner hospitals for building the systems and training that enable professionals like Sharmin to reach more patients.

In the afternoon of day 3, Prof. Ciku Mathenge, Orbis Medical Advisor, presented in “No One Left Behind: Scaling Telehea...
06/06/2026

In the afternoon of day 3, Prof. Ciku Mathenge, Orbis Medical Advisor, presented in “No One Left Behind: Scaling Telehealth Methods,” sharing lessons from Rwanda’s AI-enabled diabetic retinopathy screening program. She showed how AI can expand early detection of sight-threatening disease, while stressing that the next frontier is linking patients to care through strong referral pathways, timely reporting, clear communication, and robust governance for safe AI integration.

In “Unpacking the Investment Case: Moving from Advocacy to Actual Funding,” Orbis Zambia Country Director Lucy Mvula emphasized framing eye care in ways that resonate with policymakers by highlighting its links to road safety, mental health, productivity, education, and broader social development. She noted that vision loss drives anxiety, social isolation, reduced economic participation, and increased caregiver burden, including children leaving school, underscoring the wide social and economic returns of investment.

In the debate-style session “Beyond 2030: What Will Make Eye Health Impossible to Ignore?”, Orbis President and CEO Kathleen Sherwin explored whether the sector is ready to scale globally and locally. She noted that while solutions scale well, systems lag behind due to workforce shortages, limited integration in primary care, and lack of national implementation. As she put it, “The future of eye health will not be built on isolated excellence, but on coordinated, scaled systems.”

The team leaves VISION 2020/IAPB Live with fresh insights, new perspectives, and practical ideas to take forward. Energized by the conversations and connections from the past three days, they’re excited to get back to work and turn these learnings into action.

Day 3 at Live has wrapped, and the Orbis team is still buzzing after an inspiring 24 hours. Following Day 2, Orbis col...
06/06/2026

Day 3 at Live has wrapped, and the Orbis team is still buzzing after an inspiring 24 hours.

Following Day 2, Orbis colleagues Carolyn Collantes and Jennifer Tapia Boada represented Orbis at an exclusive dinner hosted by VISION 2020/IAPB President Caroline Casey, bringing together newly awarded Young Emerging Leaders and global CEOs from Orbis, The Fred Hollows Foundation, and IAPB for open, intergenerational conversations on the future of eye health systems.

Energized by those discussions, the team dove into the final day with the Opening Plenary, “Unite for Income.” A highlight was UK Member of Parliament Marsha De Cordova, who spoke from personal experience as a passionate advocate: “It is never too much to keep talking about eye health care. We are the change we have been waiting for.” She was joined by Fernando Botelho (UNICEF’s Centre of Excellence in Nairobi) and Prof. Fatima Kyari, Africa Regional Chair, setting a clear tone for collaboration despite a challenging landscape.

At “AI and Diagnostics at the Frontline: Rethinking the Point of Care,” speakers included Ooga Wesley Oghera (Ministry of Health), Helen Yan (Shenyang He Eye Hospital), Sile Yu (He University), Snider Mugese (Villgro Africa), and our very own Hunter Cherwek. Hunter emphasized that diagnostic AI should be seen as a force multiplier, not just for screening but for workforce productivity and training. The sector will continue to explore AI’s role across patient care pathways and screening workflows.

And this was all before lunch. Stay tuned for the afternoon’s activity coming soon.

Today at VISION 2020/IAPB highlighted the growing momentum around integrating eye health into universal health coverag...
06/05/2026

Today at VISION 2020/IAPB highlighted the growing momentum around integrating eye health into universal health coverage and strengthening national health systems to better reach underserved communities. Opening remarks from Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Health, Hon. Aden Duale, emphasized the country’s commitment to expanding eye care services through digital health integration, the Social Health Authority, and service delivery across 47 counties—while reinforcing that avoidable blindness impacts not only health, but also education, productivity, equity, and dignity.

Across the day’s sessions, discussions focused on how the sector can move from advocacy and partnership toward implementation at scale. Several sessions also underscored the importance of making a stronger economic case for investment in eye health.

Orbis is proud to be contributing to these conversations. This year, Orbis is showcasing 17 posters covering a wide range of eye care topics, as well as a rapid-fire presentation on Initiating Low Vision Services in Vietnam, delivered by Thuy Nguyen. Stella Jane, Women Leaders in Eye Health Women's Circle Facilitator and Dr. Alemayehu Sisay, Country Director of Orbis Ethiopia, facilitated a masterclass on Implementing for Scale, leading discussions on scaling the health workforce using the Scale-Up Test Framework.

One of the clearest takeaways from the day was that eye health is increasingly being recognized not only as a public health priority, but also as a development and economic issue that requires coordinated action, sustainable financing, and long-term collaboration across governments, organizations, and partners. Orbis is proud to be part of the global effort to strengthen eye care systems and expand access to quality eye care for more communities worldwide.

We’ve got some exciting updates to share from the Bloomberg Philanthropies Vision Initiative, where we’ve been deliverin...
06/05/2026

We’ve got some exciting updates to share from the Bloomberg Philanthropies Vision Initiative, where we’ve been delivering screenings and cataract surgeries, alongside local partners, since September 2025.

In Bangladesh’s Char areas—river islands shaped by seasonal floods—daily life depends on what you can earn that day and how far you can travel. For many families, reaching an eye hospital can mean long distances, transport costs, and time away from work.

That’s why the Bloomberg Philanthropies Vision Initiative is so important. Through the Comprehensive Cataract Services Project, Orbis Bangladesh, PKSF, and local partners are bringing screening and referral closer to home—so people can get access the care they need to see clearly.

For people like Abed, a shepherd from Sariakandi, access to eye care now starts closer to home—through local screening and clear referral and follow‑up, supported by trained frontline workers and partner hospitals.

A big thank you to Bloomberg Philanthropies for investing in eye care at scale—and to the Orbis Bangladesh team and partners for the day‑to‑day work that turns investment into clear vision for hard-to-reach communities.

Keep an eye out for more stories from this project over the next few weeks.

https://bit.ly/bloomberg-update

Day 1 of VISION 2020/IAPB kicked off with a strong focus on systems change, partnerships, and gender equity in eye h...
06/04/2026

Day 1 of VISION 2020/IAPB kicked off with a strong focus on systems change, partnerships, and gender equity in eye health.

At the Africa Region Breakfast, leaders from Kenya, Nigeria, and Zambia shared progress on advocacy and government engagement, with Orbis Zambia Country Director Lucy Mvula highlighting the importance of coordinated advocacy and sustained government commitment, particularly ahead of elections.

At the Welcome Plenary, a critical question set the tone:

“The system is not broken…it is working, but who is it working for?”

Working groups, including the Gender Equity Work Group co-chaired by Orbis CEO Kathleen Sherwin, explored how to scale and integrate solutions for greater impact, while IAPB CEO Peter Holland underscored the role of Engagement Groups in driving coordinated action.

A key milestone was the launch of the IAPB Gender, Climate and Eye Health Guide, featuring Orbis’s women-led green vision centres—bringing climate-resilient care closer to rural communities and improving access for women and girls.

In the afternoon, Orbis Ghana Country Director Adolf Ollenu joined the Innovation Showcase, presenting on Virtual Reality-enabled training for cataract surgery, reinforcing how innovation is reshaping eye health and closing gaps in access to care.

In parallel, the Gender Equity Work Group convened leaders from across Africa for a high-level consultation on advancing women’s and girls’ eye health. Co-chaired by Kathleen Sherwin, the session explored education and investment, with breakout discussions shaping the Nairobi Draft Commitments ahead of the Global Eye Health Summit.

A strong start—and a clear reminder that advancing eye health requires systems thinking, political will, and inclusive leadership. Stay tuned for more exciting action tomorrow.

A proud day for Orbis at the Bloomberg Philanthropies Vision Initiative Global Meeting in Nairobi, Kenya VISION 2020/IAP...
06/04/2026

A proud day for Orbis at the Bloomberg Philanthropies Vision Initiative Global Meeting in Nairobi, Kenya VISION 2020/IAPB . 👀💫

Our colleagues had the opportunity to contribute to several important discussions shaping the future of vision care globally. From data-driven decision-making and partner coordination to innovations in eye health, Orbis shared experiences and lessons learned from the field alongside leading organizations and experts from around the world.

A special congratulations to Munir Ahmed and Awlad Hossain for representing Orbis and highlighting how collaboration, innovation, and strong partnerships can help expand access to quality eye care for communities most in need.

To read more about the Bloomberg Philanthropies Vision Initiative click here: bit.ly/BloombergUpdate

We’re excited to launch a new Cybersight course: Basic Ophthalmic Pharmacology for Nurses 👁️💊 Medications play a critica...
06/03/2026

We’re excited to launch a new Cybersight course: Basic Ophthalmic Pharmacology for Nurses 👁️💊

Medications play a critical role in eye care, and this new 4-hour course helps nurses build essential knowledge of the drugs commonly used in ophthalmology.

Participants will learn about medication administration, side effects, dosing, and important considerations when caring for younger and older patients alike.

This course is part of Cybersight’s Digital Nursing Curriculum, designed to strengthen ophthalmic nursing skills and expand access to quality eye care worldwide.

Check out this course and others on Cybersight: learn.cybersight.org/ #/online-courses/dcd29240-5ea1-4a3d-880b-1adda6525428

As Team Orbis gather in Nairobi for VISION 2020/IAPB , we’re taking the opportunity to focus on the future of our globa...
06/02/2026

As Team Orbis gather in Nairobi for VISION 2020/IAPB , we’re taking the opportunity to focus on the future of our global strategy.

Colleagues from across our network have come together to share perspectives, test ideas, and shape the priorities that will guide our work in the years ahead.

This builds on months of listening and input from staff around the world, bringing those insights into one room to refine our direction and maximize our impact.

Excited for what’s ahead—and grateful to our global team, partners, and supporters who make this work possible.

From ideas to impact: Introducing the Women Leaders in Eye Health Innovation Hub! 🚀👀 This powerful new initiative is des...
06/02/2026

From ideas to impact: Introducing the Women Leaders in Eye Health Innovation Hub! 🚀👀

This powerful new initiative is designed to support women leaders in eye health to turn bold ideas into action.

Part of the Women Leaders in Eye Health - WLEH Accelerator Track for grant opportunities, the Innovation Hub provides funding and support to help women design and deliver innovative solutions — from mentorship and training to research and service delivery.

The goal is simple: strengthen leadership, advance gender equity, and drive lasting change in eye health.

Have an idea that can make a difference? 💜

🔗 Learn more at wleh.org

A big thank you to all those helping advance gender equity in eye care.

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