3.8 St. Vincent and The Grenadines:
3.8.1 St. Vincent and The Grenadines was visited by the CCB Team on August 18th, and discussions held with Officials of the MOH and CCB Member Agency on V2020 Program Issues.
· Discussions with the Permanent Secretary and Health Planner of the MOH covered issues relating to the development of a National V2020 Plan, Eye Services Delivery (including work of Cuban Medical Corps), Human Resource Development, including vacancies, and possible solutions. The Team also visited the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital and spoke with Junior Doctors about training opportunities in Ophthalmology.
· The meeting with the National Society of and for the Blind served to bring them up-to-date with the earlier discussions with the MOH and outline their role in the process. The Society also agreed to assist in the preparation of a Situation Analysis in relation to St. Vincent and The Grenadines.
4. Evaluations and impact assessment: Findings from FAT and CAT have been shared and will be reviewed with the intention of incorporating recommendations into the formulation of an Organisational Development Plan.
5. Partnerships:
· ICEE: The partnership between CCB and ICEE continued to be strengthened through technical support and the supply of equipment and materials for the Refractive Error Program; Course Materials for the Degree in Optometry and the short-term assignment of a Volunteer Optometrist.
· UN Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean: Caribbean Sub-Regional Expert Meeting to assess the implementation of the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD).
CCB (Project Development Manager) participated in the Meeting held in Antigua from August 20th and 21st. The Sub-Regional Meeting assessed the implementation of the Program of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) 15 years after its adoption (1994 – 2009).
On the sidelines, discussions were held with the Director and key Officials of ECLAC on possible areas of support for CCB. The Organisation has since invited CCB (and its Membership) to contribute to a study of the UNCRPD, with a focus on the Blind in: Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Jamaica and Trinidad & Tobago.
· 2010 Gus Hart Visiting Fellowship:
CCB has nominated Senator Kerryann Ifill for the 2010 Gus Hart Visiting Fellowship, established by The Chicago Council on Global Affairs, following a request. The Fellowship, includes “one all-expenses paid week in Chicago to interact with commercial, civic, and media professionals, deliver the Annual Gus Hart Lecture and be honoured by the Chicago Council’s Board and other leading figures”. The Gus Hart Visiting Fellow also receives a $10,000 honorarium.
· Christoffel-Blinden Mission (CBM):
In an effort to advance the training of Ophthalmologists in the region, CCB has sought the help of CBM to identify training opportunities in the Caribbean and Latin America, particularly at Institutions supported by CBM.
· Caribbean Optometrists Association (CARIOA):
CARIOA, in conjunction with the Trinidad & Tobago Association of Optometrists, has invited CCB to a one-day Conference on October 8th, (World Sight Day) in Trinidad. The focus will be on, “The Public Health importance of Optometry”.
· KIWANIS of Eastern Canada and Caribbean:
CCB has re-submitted the Memorandum of Understanding to the Kiwanis, focusing on ‘Early Intervention Services for Children with Vision Loss and Blindness’, for consideration. It is anticipated the Clauses which had prevented the signing of the earlier version, would now be accepted.