25,405 PERSONS SCREENED UNDER JAMAICA/CUBA EYE CARE PROGRAMME

KINGSTON , June 21 (JIS):

Minister of Health, Horace Dalley, has disclosed that since September 2005, some 25,405 persons have been screened for eye conditions under the Jamaica/Cuba Eye Care Programme.

Mr. Dalley, who was making his contribution to the 2007/08 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on Tuesday (June 19), noted that at the end of April this year, some 3,553 persons have had surgeries, while a further 2,062 persons were provided with glasses under the programme. In addition, three children have had their sight restored.

“This programme has provided supplementary surgical eye care services to patients, who cannot afford surgical interventions in the private sector and who are on long waiting list in the public sector,” he noted.

During this financial year, the Jamaica/Cuba Eye Care Programme will screen approximately 7,300 persons for various eye pathology; conduct approximately 565 surgeries; and dispense approximately 1,500 glasses.