DOHA, Qatar - 23 September 2013 - Key officials from Qatar Airways and Doha International Airport were amongst other leading organisations in Qatar that met with HRH The Countess of Wessex to visit the ORBIS Flying Eye Hospital that arrived in Doha on Sunday, 22 September as part of a goodwill tour to raise awareness on prevention and treatment of avoidable child blindness. Housed within a DC-10 airplane, the 'flying hospital' is a one-of-a-kind ophthalmological facility equipped with an operating suite, a four bed pre-operation and recovery room, as well as a sub sterile and laser room. The aircraft was stationed at DIA during the three-day stopover.

The Countess, who is a long-standing patron of global sight-saving initiatives, and the crew of medical professionals from ORBIS, shared with audiences how the unique aircraft brings together dedicated volunteer eye care professionals and aviators to deliver the gift of sight around the world. They explained that globally, some 1.5 million children are blind, 19 million more are visually impaired and that 80 percent of all visual impairment can be avoided or cured with prevention and early treatment.

During a press conference that took place at Oryx Rotana Hotel, Al-Mass presented HRH The Countess of Wessex with a symbolic gift as a gesture of DIA's continued support for ORBIS. "It is an eye opening experience for the community in Qatar to witness ORBIS' Flying Eye Hospital as it gives us the opportunity to truly appreciate the breath of work that the organization undertakes to prevent avoidable child blindness around the world. Doha International Airport is proud to continue our support toward ORBIS and its sigh-saving initiatives", said Abdulaziz Al-Mass, Manager of Public Relations and Communications, DIA. 

Since 1982, ORBIS has provided some 4.5 million treatments, conducted more than 55,000 surgeries and trained over 20,830 doctors, nurses and others. The aircraft's operating suite maintains all the standards of a regular operating room, and is fitted with a fully equipped teaching laser room. It carries sufficient equipment to be independent whilst on the ground, including auxiliary air conditioners, a water purification system and an oxygen generation system.

Doha International Airport, which currently handles more than 21.1 million passengers a year, has undergone a dramatic change over the past three years, virtually doubling in size to cope with the huge demand for air travel to and from Qatar, spearheaded by the huge infrastructure improvements taking place in the country.

Hamad International Airport is the world's newest aviation hub, a world-class facility that is set to exceed expectations and redefine the passenger and transit experience.

Positioned at the edge of the Arabian Gulf, Hamad International Airport's tranquil waterside setting provides a perfect backdrop for its stylish architectural elements, underpinned by advanced airport systems. Featuring two runways, among the longest in the world, a state-of-the-art air traffic control tower, a stunning passenger terminal with a design capacity of 30 million passengers per year, over 28,000 square metres of retail and food & beverage facilities and a uniquely shaped public mosque, these are some key aspects of the modern airport complex.  For more information about Doha International Airport or Hamad International Airport, please visit www.dohaairport.com

For further information
Doha International Airport
PR and Communications Department
Tel: (+974) 4465 6187, Fax: (+974) 4462 2044
Email: diamedia@qatarairways.com.qa
Web: www.dohaairport.com

© Press Release 2013