The Caribbean Council for the Blind/ Eye Care Caribbean, on Friday, November 18, 2011 made good on its promise and presented spectacles to residents and members of staff at the Fiennes Institute located in St John’s, Antigua.
Following an Optometry Clinic held at the Institute on August 22 and 23, thirty-seven spectacles were handed over in a ceremony held on the compound of the Institute.
The Optometry Clinic also served as the first step to increased collaboration with the Government of Antigua and Barbuda as was highlighted by Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer.
The Prime Minister announced that three clinics in Antigua and one in Barbuda have been identified as vision centres to serve the twin island state.
“The clinics will be accessible … the whole idea is to make eye care available in a manner that is affordable. I will promise you that the cost will be very minimal and affordable. Nobody that has been diagnosed with eye problems in the country will be denied that opportunity We believe that the whole question of sight and vision is critical to our social development” the Prime Minister said.
Finance Minister, Harold Lovell noted that the Government’s commitment is evident in that four Antiguans and Barbudans are currently being trained as Refractionists at the University of Guyana. Upon their return to Antigua & Barbuda, they will take up appointments at the 4 clinics being designated as Vision Centres.
“The four are being trained on scholarships provided by the CCB…..when they return they will be able to provide eye care services to those who badly need the service” said the Finance Minister.
The initiatives being undertaken by CCB/Eye Care Caribbean are in keeping with its mandate of preventing blindness and visual
impairment while restoring sight and creating opportunities for persons whose sight cannot be restored.
“Discussions are currently being held between CCB/Eye Care Caribbean and the Government of Antigua and Barbuda, re the identification of a building to house: A full service spectacle laboratory to serve Antigua and Barbuda and the rest of the Eastern Caribbean; Storage facilities for hundreds of thousands of blank lens; An Optometry clinic with three examination lanes and facilities for the management and coordination of the services” said Arvel Grant, CEO of CCB Eye Care Caribbean .
Additionally, the Scholarship programme will be expanded to Antiguans and Barbudans to be trained as Optometrists and Ophthalmologists .
CCB/Eye Care Caribbean will also facilitate the efforts of the Government to enhance and expand Special Needs Services across the country.
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CCB-Eye Care Caribbean Hands Over Spectacles to Fiennes Institute