Guernsey anaesthetist joins sight-saving assignment in Rwanda with eye care charity Orbis

Dr Le Cheminant spent her time in Rwanda sharing vital skills with eye care professionals and anaesthetists from across the country. It's the eighth time that she has volunteered with Orbis since 2017, in countries including Mongolia, Vietnam and Zambia. 

She joined Orbis in Rwanda as part of their programme centred around the Flying Eye Hospital. The aircraft is the world’s only fully accredited ophthalmic teaching hospital on a plane, equipped with an operating theatre, recovery room, and classroom space. It provides a platform for Orbis medical volunteers to work alongside and share skills with local eye health professionals. 

Training focused on supporting local eye care teams to treat more children and adults at risk of blindness, raise awareness about eye health, and expand lasting access to sight-saving care across the country. This took place both on board the plane, and in partnership with the Rwanda International Institute of Ophthalmology (RIIO) and Kibagabaga Hospital.  

Dr Le Cheminant said: ‘Rwanda has just 30 anaesthetists for a population of 13 million people, meaning that training the next generation is vital for the future of safe surgery in Rwanda. The local team were incredibly welcoming and their enthusiasm for learning was clear. 

‘One stand-out moment for me was on board the Flying Eye Hospital teaching a trainee how to do her first local anaesthetic eye block and witnessing her sense of achievement upon learning a new skill.  

‘Another was talking to our patients in the pre-assessment clinic and hearing their stories. I recall a particularly charismatic elderly gentleman in a trilby hat - a potato farmer, he reminded me of home! His smile was infectious, and it was a joy to see him at several times on his journey that week and to watch him walk off the plane after a successful surgery. 

‘I really enjoy volunteering in this way and sharing my knowledge and experience. And I find that it benefits my patients in Guernsey, too, as I learn a lot from other Orbis volunteer doctors who come from centres of excellence all over the world.’ 

The need in Rwanda is urgent. There are an estimated 1.2 million people living with sight loss, with an estimated 20,000 people who are blind. Of these approximately 20,000 cases, more than 90% are also avoidable. 

Cataract, a clouding of the lens, is the most common cause of blindness in Rwanda. Only 30% of people who need the surgery have it, and only half of those who need glasses have them.  

During the training, Orbis staff and medical volunteers guided local doctors and nurses in simulation and hands-on training, delivering care for patients with cataract, and other serious eye conditions, including strabismus (squint).  

According to estimates, cases of blindness around the world are due to triple by 2050. Through her efforts, alongside other Orbis volunteers, Dr Le Cheminant is playing a key role in transforming the lives of those who could otherwise face permanent blindness. To find out more about how Orbis is working to change this through their long-term programmes, volunteers and their unique Flying Eye Hospital, visit their website: www.orbis.org.uk