Continuing the push towards a Caribbean fully compliant with the objectives of Vision 2020 (The Right to Sight)
Refurbishing of vision centres in Antigua & Barbuda more than 80% complete.
As a lead up to the launch of vision centres in Grays Farm,Johnson’s Point and Clare Hall, CCB/Eye Care Caribbean is collaborating with the Government of Antigua & Barbuda, to implement simultaneous one month Eye Clinics for clients and employees of: The Clarevue Psychiatric Hospital and the Fiennes Residence for the Elderly.
More than 500 persons will be examined through the month of February.
Those clients and employees who need prescription glasses will be provided with their spectacles by CCB, without cost. All of the equipment and supplies required to implement the vision centres are being allowed duty free by the Government.
JAMAICA – Mandeville – Ophthalmology Operating Theatre to be Commissioned by April
Excluding some mechanical and electrical installations, the suit of Operating Theatres is ready to receive the specialized equipment which will convert a mere building into a place where thousands of Jamaicans will have their sight restored.
The 100% clean air conditioner has been lifted into place with the aid of a heavy lift crane and most of the equipment required to make the building functional have been purchased and delivered to the site.
New Eye Departments in Guyana, Haiti and Jamaica
Over the past months, CCB/Eye Care Caribbean’s Regional Maintenance Manager, Henry Latty has been busy visiting the emerging facilities, installing, calibrating and testing the new systems.
One senior Nurse from Linden, Guyana and Mandeville, Jamaica are preparing to spend six weeks in the Commonwealth of Dominica, refining their theatre skills under the expert supervision of Consultant Ophthalmologist, Dr. Hazel Shillingford-Ricketts.
The Nurses will return to their respective eye departments by the end of March, to start supervising the configuration and sterilization of their surgical space, in preparation for the start of surgical activities.
Medical Doctors getting closer to their goal of becoming Ophthalmologists
St. Lucia’s candidate (now in her final year in the Dominican Republic) will be returning home this year. One of seven Medical Doctors currently in training as Ophthalmologists, at the University of Haiti, will also complete his training this year.
By next year, all eleven CCB-sponsored Ophthalmology Residents will be in place. The Council is now preparing to offer a new round of scholarships, as part of its continuing effort to expand eye health services through the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).
At least 14 newly trained optometrists to graduate from the UWI St Augustin Campus in Trinidad and Tobago this year. This will be a welcome addition to the less than 20% of the total number of Optometrists required by the English speaking Caribbean.
If the Caribbean is to equate current UK levels of practicing Optometrists (one to ten thousand persons) the Region needs close to six hundred practicing Optometrists, instead of under one hundred currently at work in the Caribbean.
Guyana moves closer to the launch of its Vision 2020 Strategic Frame Work
Under the leadership of Dr. Shailendra Sugrim, Chairman of the Vision 2020 Committee in that country, the draft document is now ready for consideration and promulgation by the Ministry of Health and Government of Guyana.
CCB/Eye Care Caribbean is preparing to initiate similar activities in eight other member countries of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) this year.
The Caribbean Vision 2020 Meeting for 2012
The Guyana Pegasus Hotel, welcomed almost 40 delegates to the third Annual Meeting. A range of topics pertinent to the evolution of regional health care were discussed and proposed actions highlighted. The next regional meeting is tentatively set for the Jamaica Pegasus, in the first week of December 2013.
See a link to a video summary of the meetings at: http://eyecarecaribbean.com/our-work-in-the-caribbean/highlights-from-vision-2020-conference