Caribbean Times 71st Issue - Monday 9th January 2017

6 c a r i b b e a n t i m e s . a g
Monday 9th January 2017
Eye programme continues in Barbuda eyes
As the Government’s Eye Care
program continues in Barbuda, dozens
of residents got the opportunity to see
more clearly as many are being outfitted
with prescription lens during phase two
of the Barbuda Eye Care Mission.
The programme, which is being
spearheaded by the Ministry of Health
and the Environment, will see one hundred
and eighty five (185) individuals
being equipped with prescribed glasses
during the weeklong exercise.
One of the individuals involved
in the program is Optometrist, Khohane
Blake, who commented on a
heart-warming experience that thrilled
her on Wednesday.
Blake, who is also an Epidemiologist,
said that not only are adults and
teenagers benefitting from the mission,
but also Kindergartners as well.
“One of the things that made me
smile this week was when I did a refraction
for a child who is about four years
old and when she got the glasses, she
started smiling because she was able to
see better and that really warmed my
heart”, Blake said.
Certified Refractionist, Raenor
Sharpe, is also conducting eye exams
and he explained the difference between
the first phase of the mission which took
place in October and this New Year’s
exercise.
“The second phase of the mission
involved those persons who were
screened before. They don’t necessarily
have an eye condition that needs a doctor
but they need glasses and for those
also who would have been screened and
needed surgical assessment or medical
intervention are now requiring glasses,
so that is what we are doing here on the
second phase of the mission”, Sharpe
noted.
Equally pleased with the turn of
events is Matron of the Hannah Thomas
Hospital, Nurse Cynthia Byers and she
said that the venture has had a tremendous
impact on the hospital services and
the residents of the sister isle.
“It is a very good thing for the hospital
in terms of having special activities
within the hospital and it helps to bridge
the gap between the community and the
hospital and I hope that this is a roadway
for better things to come”, Byers said.
Addie Newton, the Barbuda Council
Member who is responsible for health,
was full of praise for the Health and
Environment Minister Molwyn Joseph,
and he is hoping that the partnership
will continue to flourish.
“When I approached the Honourable
Molwyn Joseph about the cost of the
glasses he had consented to approach
the cabinet to give us at a minimal cost
but the cabinet decided to cover the total
cost so I much say special thanks to the
Government and in particular to Honourable
Molwyn Joseph for his input”,
Newton said.
Close to four hundred residents
turned out last October for the first phase
of the Barbuda Eye Care Mission and at
the end of the screening, one hundred
and eighty five (185) individuals were
recommended for special treatment,
which included prescription glasses.
Phase three will come on stream in a
matter of weeks.