Orbis becomes a voice for eye health in global surgical alliance

GENEVA, Switzerland, May 19, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Orbis, an international NGO and pioneer in the prevention and treatment of blindness for over 30 years, has joined the Global Alliance for Surgical, Obstetric, Trauma and Anaesthesia (the G4 Alliance), as their first member in ophthalmology. The G4 Alliance is a coalition of more than 80 of the world's leading surgical, obstetric, trauma, and anesthesia care organizations. The new membership will be announced by the G4 Alliance at their first permanent council meeting at the 70^th World Health Assembly (WHA70) in Geneva on May 20 – 21.

The G4 Alliance was formed at the World Health Assembly 68 in 2015 to support the World Health Assembly Resolution "Strengthening emergency and essential surgical care and anesthesia as a component of universal health coverage", which includes all ophthalmic surgery. Over the past two years, the Alliance has gained considerable recognition at both the international and national level, and is supported by its members from academia, international federations and societies, NGOs and foundations including the GE Foundation.

"As the first member in global blindness prevention to join, we are pleased to have the opportunity to add our voice to the incredibly important work that this global alliance does," said Orbis Global Medical Director Dr. Jonathan Lord. "We are excited to show our commitment to the wider healthcare system, and are looking forward to the interesting cross-sector partnership and collaboration opportunities that membership allows."

Orbis has followed the G4 Alliance's journey from the beginning, given the heightened priority that global surgery has received in recent years and Orbis's existing commitment to the Alliance's pillars: advocacy, policy implementation and resource mobilization for access to safe, essential and timely surgical, obstetric, trauma, and anesthesia care.

"We are excited to welcome Orbis into the G4 Alliance at the 70th World Health Assembly as we work together to reach the almost 5 billion people who lack access to safe surgical and anesthesia care around the world," said Brendan Allen, Executive Director for the G4 Alliance.

Dr. Jonathan Lord will represent Orbis at the official announcement at WHA70 this weekend.

About Orbis
Orbis is a leading global non-governmental organization that has been a pioneer in the prevention and treatment of blindness for over 30 years. Orbis transforms lives by delivering the skills, resources and knowledge needed to deliver accessible quality eye care. Working in collaboration with local partners including hospitals, universities, government agencies and ministries of health, Orbis provides hands-on ophthalmology training, strengthens healthcare infrastructure and advocates for making eye health a priority. Orbis operates the world's only Flying Eye Hospital, a fully accredited ophthalmic teaching hospital on board an MD-10 aircraft. To learn more, please visit orbis.org.

About the G4 Alliance
The Global Alliance for Surgical, Obstetric, Trauma, and Anaesthesia Care (The G4 Alliance) is an advocacy-based organization dedicated to building political priority for surgical care as part of the global development agenda. They provide a collective voice for Member Organizations united in their commitment to supporting increased access to safe, essential surgical, obstetric, trauma and anesthesia care for all.

Media Contacts
Silvana Vivas                                                             
Communications Manager, Orbis                 
silvana.vivas@orbis.org
646-674-5507

Louise Harris
Communications Consultant, Orbis
louise@ironpetal.com

Sarah Hamilton
Communications Officer
Sarah.hamilton@theg4alliance.org

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SOURCE Orbis International