Eye on Sight Issue #10 – July 2013 – CCB Eye Care Caribbean

In the July 2013 Issue of Eye on Sight we feature the following:

Working Together in Guyana

With a population of just under 800,000, approximately 30,000 adults and children in Guyana are blind or have low vision. The priority eye diseases include Cataract, Glaucoma, Refractive Error and Diabetic Retinopathy.

For the Ministry of Health, Eye Care has been on the front burner for the past several years. The Caribbean Council for the Blind (CCB) through Eye Care Guyana has spearheaded several programmes which include the establishment of Vision Centres and the training of Refractionists and Optometrists at the University of Guyana.

Preparing to Give Sight

An effervescent personality, outspoken, determined and a passion to succeed these are the words to describe Khohane Blake, a final year Optometry Student at the University of Guyana.

The journey to this point has not always been a smooth one. Born in the rural community of New Market in the Southern Parish of St. Elizabeth, Jamaica, Khohane’s story is one of overcoming just about every obstacle-and there were many.

She grew up in an extended family, with her mother being the sole provider, however she was surrounded by a brother, grandparents, her aunt and cousins. There was one thing that made her family unique in the quiet community, Khohane’s mother, Racquel Adams was blind.

Guyana Society for the Blind – CXC Programme

January 7, 2013, was the dawn of a new day at the Guyana Society for the Blind as it marked to start of a programme preparing students between the ages of 17 and 35, who are blind, visually impaired and/or disabled to write five subjects in examinations prepared by Caribbean Examinations Councils
(CXC) in 2014.

These classes represent another milestone in the history of the Society that was established on October 8, 1955. The current President, Cecil Morris, who is also visually impaired, said what was once a dream has now become reality.

From the Desk of the CEO

As we prepare to launch Eye Health Services in four Health Facilities across Antigua and Barbuda, CCB-Eye Care Caribbean awaits employment of four Refractionists and a complement of Dispensing Clerks, by the Ministry of Health.

Several months ago, the requisite instruments of approval were delivered to the Ministry of Health by the Cabinet Office and we continue to expect that the employment of the required personnel is imminent.

As soon as the employment processes are completed and the Refractionists have their letters of appointment, CCB-Eye Care Caribbean will commence the installation and testing of Diagnostic Refractive and other systems, which the Refractionists and their colleagues will use to examine and treat their patients.

Programme Highlights (Second Quarter)

In keeping with its mandate to provide technical support to Member Agencies, the Jamaica Society for the Blind (JSB) received assistance for the development of its National Strategic Framework for Blindness Services, from the Secretariat.

The draft of the Framework was formally presented to the members of the Society during its Annual General Meeting on Saturday April 20th, 2013 in Kingston, Jamaica by CCB’s Project Development and Advocacy Services Manager. Prior to the AGM, the document was circulated to the membership for review and comments. Following the presentation and discussions, the Framework was approved by the membership, with the undertaking that the strategies would be implemented, over time.

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