UTC Aerospace Systems Helps Orbis Flying Eye Hospital Prevent Avoidable Blindness Around the World

 

UTC Aerospace Systems, a unit of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX), has announced a $1 million three-year contribution to Orbis International, a leading global nongovernmental organization (NGO) that works to eliminate avoidable blindness by providing access to quality eye health care and medical training to low- and middle-income countries. 

 

The Orbis Flying Eye Hospital conducts multiple programs each year, training doctors, nurses and other eye-care professionals, while also conducting hundreds of critical sight-saving and restorative surgeries. Expert volunteers aboard the Flying Eye Hospital travel to countries with under-resourced medical services and train local health care teams to treat eye issues, while expanding access to future treatment and providing ongoing support to those trained. It is a fully accredited ophthalmic teaching hospital on board an MD-10 aircraft.

"Our 41,000-plus employees strive every day to be the best at what we do. That includes focusing our charitable contributions in ways that will have a meaningful impact on the world," said Dave Gitlin, President, UTC Aerospace Systems. "We are proud to align with Orbis, and we look forward to supporting their efforts on the ground and in the air."

 

Gitlin added, "It is humbling to think about how the gift of sight can improve a person's lot in life… and how the gift of teaching can improve an entire region. We are thrilled to support these efforts, and we admire Orbis for their comprehensive approach to addressing preventable blindness." 

 

There are 285 million people in the world who are blind or visually impaired, but 80 percent of these cases are curable, treatable or preventable, according to the World Health Organization. Ninety percent of people who are blind from avoidable causes live in low-income settings where quality eye care is limited or nonexistent. Orbis has a global impact, having visited over 92 countries since 1982. In 2016, Orbis volunteers helped medical professionals complete 40,321 training courses, conduct 3.53 million eye screenings and exams, and perform 82,587 surgeries aboard the Flying Eye Hospital and at partner institutions.

 

"UTC Aerospace Systems has a proven commitment to shaping the future of flight, and they recognize the transformative role of technology in creating solutions that have a true real-world impact," said Bob Ranck, President and Chief Executive Officer, Orbis. "The Flying Eye Hospital relies on the latest innovations in aerospace and medicine to provide proper care and resources to those in need. Restoring vision is one of the most cost-effective, efficient ways to break the cycle of poverty, and we believe that no one should lose their sight to something that is curable. Through the generous support of UTC Aerospace Systems, we can continue to expand our efforts to bring people together in the fight for sight and improve eye care around the globe."