IN OUR QUEST FOR A CARIBBEAN FULLY COMPLIANT WITH THE OBJECTIVES OF VISION 2020 (THE RIGHT TO SIGHT)
Antigua and Barbuda
* Government of Antigua and Barbuda approves employment of Refractionists to work in Vision Centres.
CCB-Eye Care Caribbean has completed refurbishment of space allocated as Vision Centres in the communities of Gray’s Farm, Johnson’s Point and Clare Hall. The Cabinet of Antigua-Barbuda has now approved the appointment of 4 Refractionists and 2 Dispensing Clerks.
Their formal employment is now being administered by the Ministries of Health and Finance. When the appointments are effected, CCB-Eye Care Caribbean will start the installation and testing of: Diagnostic, Refractive and other systems, which the Refractionists and their colleagues will use to examine and treat patients.
* Plans to commence Vision Centre Services by May 2013
It is anticipated that the requisite: employment, installations and testing processes will be completed, for the start of services in the Vision Centres, before the end of May.
* Optometry Clinics implemented at Fiennes and Clarevue
In February of this year, Optometry Clinics were successfully implemented at the Clarevue Psychiatric Hospital and the Fiennes Residence for the Elderly.
Over a two week period, just under five hundred persons were examined by the 4 Refractionists. Arrangements are now at an advanced stage, to fabricate and fit eye glasses for all the employees and residents and patients who were prescribed spectacles.
* Public Relations
HaMa Productions – a company based in Antigua and Barbuda, is in the process of producing a second ten minute documentary, as part of the build up of public awareness materials, to be used in support of the launch of Vision Centre Services in the Health Centres.
The current documentary links the clinics at Fiennes and Clarevue, with the pending launch of Vision Centres at: Gray’s Farm, Johnson’s Point and Clare Hall. The HaMa documentary will complement other documentaries being produced by the Web Development and Advocacy Units of CCB-Eye Care Caribbean.
* New space for the Council
The Cabinet of the Government of Antigua and Barbuda has awarded CCB-Eye Care Caribbean leased access to certain buildings on the Holberton Premises, to be developed as the National Eye Health and Diagnostic Centre. The actual space being allocated requires some clarification, however, it is anticipated that work to commence refurbishing and occupation of mutually agreed space will begin once the anticipated clarification is secured.