Inauguration of ORBIS Digital Training Hub in Bengaluru

Sankara Eye Foundation India has been recognised as an ORBIS Digital Training Hub (DTH) for South India, and an advanced digital simulation and ophthalmic training facility was inaugurated at Sankara Eye Hospital, Bengaluru, Karnataka. The ceremony was led by Dr. Prof. Sujatha Rathod, Director of the Directorate of Medical Education, Government of Karnataka, and attended by Dr. R. V. Ramani (Founder & Managing Trustee, Sankara Eye Foundation India), Mr. Vijay Bharadwaj (former Test cricketer, coach and commentator), Dr. Rishi Raj Borah (Country Director, Orbis India) and Ms. Kathleen Sherwin (President & CEO, Orbis International).

Rationale and National Context

India has roughly 15 ophthalmologists per million population, with most specialists concentrated in urban centres, underscoring a critical need to expand quality training and specialist expertise across the country. Digital Training Hubs are designed to bridge this gap by integrating simulation, tele‑mentoring, tele‑medicine, tele‑education and hands‑on training, allowing eye‑care professionals to repeatedly practice procedures, receive structured feedback and continuously develop clinical competencies.

Facility Capabilities and Training Offerings

The Bengaluru hub combines virtual‑reality simulators for cataract surgery, Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP), Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery (MIGS), eye anatomy and clinical skills with a wet‑lab for surgical practice. The centre will deliver structured programmes in Glaucoma, Medical Retina and Uveitis, blending simulation‑based learning with clinical observation, consultant mentorship and hands‑on training. Training formats include short‑term observerships, a three‑month intensive programme and a one‑year sandwich fellowship.

Existing Digital Training Hub Network

Four DTHs have been established across India, collectively facilitating more than 2,200 trainings for ophthalmic professionals. Women accounted for 68 % of all participants, reflecting strong gender inclusion. The model also incorporates training for the broader eye‑care team—ophthalmic nurses, optometrists and technicians—beyond ophthalmologists.

Digital Extension via Cybersight and COVID‑Era Initiatives

The digital component extends beyond the physical hub through Cybersight, ORBIS’s online platform offering courses, webinars, surgical demonstrations, virtual case discussions and access to international experts. During the COVID‑19 pandemic, the Virtual Flying Eye Hospital programme connected 160 ophthalmologists, residents, nurses, biomedical engineers and technicians from 15 partner hospitals across 10 states, demonstrating the ability of technology to deliver mentorship and education across geographic boundaries.

Statements from Key Stakeholders

  • Dr. Sujatha Rathod emphasized that technology placed in the right hands, combined with training, builds confidence, improves surgical skills and leads to safer patient outcomes.
  • Mr. Vijay Bharadwaj highlighted training as the foundation of excellence and praised the initiative’s potential to inspire similar investments in healthcare education.
  • Ms. Kathleen Sherwin noted that distance should never be a barrier to learning and that the hub will connect professionals with high‑quality training wherever they are.
  • Dr. Rishi Raj Borah described the hub as a new approach that can create a continuously learning eye‑care workforce across South India.
  • Dr. R. V. Ramani called the hub a significant boon for eye‑care professionals in Bengaluru, Karnataka and South India, strengthening quality of care and delivering lasting social impact.

About Sankara Eye Foundation India

Founded in 1977 by Dr. R. V. Ramani and Dr. Radha Ramani as a primary health‑care centre, Sankara Eye Foundation India now operates 14 super‑speciality eye‑care hospitals in over 10 states, positioning it as one of the largest social enterprises in Indian eye care. The organisation is a leading proponent of the National Eye Health Care Movement, driving initiatives across age groups, technology adoption, research and training.