Dr. Fiorella Flores is the head of the pediatrics department at our partner Trujillo Regional Hospital in Peru. With a specialization in neonatology, part of her role is to spot the signs of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), the leading cause of childhood blindness globally.
Retinopathy of prematurity is a potentially blinding disease that affects premature babies, and without care can lead to permanent blindness. In Peru, 7.3% of babies are born prematurely every year — this means over 30,000 babies are at risk of ROP annually! But thanks to the dedicated work of medical professionals like Dr. Flores, these infants can live a healthy, fulfilling life.
Dr. Flores says her Orbis training has been an enormous help in saving sight. Her department is now well-trained and resourced with state-of-the-art equipment to deliver the best care, all thanks to Orbis supporters.
To ensure more babies leave hospital in good health she says, “it is quite important to have not only the human resources but also the infrastructure.”
This is why Orbis not only focuses on training and equipment but on strengthening the whole eye care system and influencing national policies to prioritize eye care. Our goal is to build strong eye care systems that leave a lasting legacy.
