3.4 Guyana:
3.4.1 Eye Care Guyana received several pieces of equipment acquired through support from ICEE for the expansion of Refractive Services. A total of eight (8) Vision Centers are now operational in five of the country’s ten Administrative Regions.
3.4.2 Luke Arkapaw, a Volunteer Optometrist with ICEE, provided services to the Program in Guyana over the period September 12th to 26th. During his brief tour, he participated in an Outreach Clinic at Bartica; and visited the Vision Centres at Suddie, West Demerara and Georgetown Public Hospital. He also held discussions with the Program Manager and staff of Eye Care Guyana.
3.4.3 In the ongoing negotiations for the Degree in Optometry to be offered by the University of Guyana (UG), the Appointments, Planning and Policy Committee, has given its approval, subject to clarifications of some administrative matters. However, the final hurdle remaining is for the Course to be approved by the hundred-member Academic Board of the University, due to deliberate the issue on October 13th. CCB/Eye Care Guyana is currently preparing a budget defining start-up costs of the Course and its own contribution.
3.4.4 At the same time, planning is underway for the training of the next cohort of Refractionists scheduled for October 19th; one Trainee will come from Jamaica, with the remaining candidates drawn from Guyana.
3.4.5 In support of the initiative to develop ‘Accessible Services for Students with Special Needs’ at UG, CCB has offered to facilitate a visit by Peter O’Sullivan, Head of Special Student Services on the Mona Campus (UWI – Jamaica), to the University of Guyana Campus. He will observe current efforts to make the UG Campus more accessible; and discuss with the UG Officials some of the approaches used in the development of an accessible environment on the Mona Campus. Mr. O’Sullivan will make recommendations to CCB, to facilitate the Organisation’s advocacy and related efforts to make the UG Campus a more accessible environment for students with special needs.
3.5 Francophone Zone:
3.5.1 Haiti:
· The political and social environment in Haiti appears to have stabilized and the security situation significantly improved. However, the country is still struggling to secure the required resources to support its developmental programs. The UN Special Envoy to Haiti, President Bill Clinton, has urged Donors to honour commitments made, as reportedly, only a small proportion of the pledges have been delivered.
· Despite these challenges and constraints, SHAA has continued to deliver services to its clientele, though on a reduced scale.
· Meanwhile, the CNPC has developed plans for the observance of World Sight Day, including Public Awareness/Education and Screening Programs.
3.5.3 Martinique:
· A Symposium, targeting Organisations in the Francophone Zone of CCB, and addressing the issues of: Re-Education, Orientation and Mobility, Inclusive Education and Social and Professional Inclusion, is scheduled for October 5th – 7th in Martinique. The Chairperson of the Zone, Dr. Michel Pean and the CEO of CCB, Arvel Grant, are scheduled to participate.
3.6 Jamaica:
3.6.1 Following months of intense planning and the establishment of administrative systems, the Vision Centre within the Mandeville Regional Hospital (MRH) commenced operations during September. During the start-up week, the Facility received technical support through the assignment of a Refractionist from Guyana. For the first two weeks, orders and payments were received for 26 pairs of spectacles. Thus, this development moves Mandeville one step closer to the implementation of a Comprehensive Eye Care Model.
3.6.2 Attention is now being given to the sensitization of Management of three other Hospitals within the Southern Region – Black River, May Pen, and Percy Junor – for similar initiatives.
3.7 St. Lucia:
3.7.1 The St. Jude’s Hospital (and Eye Clinic) located in the south of the island was destroyed by fire on September 9th. Currently, patients are receiving services from a temporary Facility, but operations of the Eye Clinic, which provided regular services throughout the year, have been suspended.
3.7.2 A CCB Team visited St. Lucia on August 20th and held a series of meetings with several stakeholders to review V2020 Program Activities.
· The meeting with the MOH included the Chief Medical Officer and other Senior Officials, and reviewed the National V2020 Plan and its implementation. Issues of Disease Control in relation to Cataract, Diabetic Retinopathy and Glaucoma; School Screening; the work of the Cuban Doctors; and Human Resource Development, were discussed.
· It was agreed that the MOH and St. Lucia Blind Welfare Association (SLBWA) would meet to explore the implementation of the National V2020 Plan and its incorporation into the National Health Plan.
3.7.3 Another meeting was held with Officers of SLBWA, the Ophthalmologist and recently trained Optometrist. It sought to explore ways in which the Optometrist could be employed to assist the Ophthalmologist to enhance services at SLBWA Clinic (and the Hospital). Additionally, the Cataract Surgical Program, Diabetic Retinopathy and Glaucoma Screening; and equipment needs were also discussed; following which, the Team toured the Clinic at SLBWA.