A Chinese airborne hospital has completed its first international medical mission in Vientiane, the capital of Laos, offering free eye surgeries and providing medical education to local professionals. The initiative, which is being conducted by the Eye and ENT Hospital of Fudan University in Shanghai in cooperation with the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China, uses a C909 airplane specially equipped as a flying hospital. The mission comes as China and Laos mark the 65th anniversary of their diplomatic ties.
The aircraft, carrying advanced ophthalmic equipment and other digital diagnostic devices, arrived in Laos at Vientiane’s Wattay International Airport. The medical team started screening patients soon after arrival, with about 600 people receiving examinations for various eye and ear, nose, and throat (ENT) conditions. Those with complicated cases were brought to the aircraft-based clinic for specialized consultations and, where needed, surgery. A total of about 50 local patients, many suffering from cataracts, glaucoma, or rhinitis, received free surgeries either on the plane or at partnering local hospitals.
In addition to treating patients, the Chinese medical team collaborated with Laotian doctors at Mahosot Hospital, which was built with support from the Chinese government. The teams worked together on patient screenings, surgeries, and medical training sessions. More than 60 doctors from surrounding hospitals joined workshops held at Mahosot Hospital, where they learned about standard cataract surgery techniques, new methods for treating rhinitis, and ways to improve ENT care. The Chinese doctors also shared detailed presentations and surgical videos to support their Lao colleagues.
The mission also engaged with local schools, as doctors visited a primary school in Vientiane to check the vision of about 200 children. Students were screened for common vision problems such as strabismus and amblyopia, with those affected referred for further medical evaluation. School officials said this was the first time many students received such eye health checks.
During the visit, the Chinese and Lao teams achieved significant medical milestones, including the first local surgery combining a tension ring and artificial lens, which restored clear vision to a nearly blind patient. The Chinese medical team emphasized their ongoing commitment to supporting medical development in Laos and to sharing advanced surgical knowledge with their local partners. The initiative aims to strengthen medical cooperation between the two countries and provide lasting benefits to more patients across the region.
