Amerindian Affairs Minister Pauline Sukhai yesterday received a quantity of spectacles for  Toshaos from Minister in the Health Ministry Dr. Bheri Ramsaran at her Quamina Street office, as part of what Minister Sukhai dubbed “a good show of cooperation” between the Ministries.
According to Minister Sukhai, during the recently concluded National Toshaos Council meeting, a request was made by the Toshaos for eye care.
This was provided, by the Health Ministry to all who made themselves available for eye tests during the course of the conference.
Minister Ramsaran added that out of 96 Toshaos screened by the refractionist of the Low Vision Centre at the Georgetown Public Hospital, under the supervision of a Cuban eye specialist, it was determined that 13 Toshaos needed reading glasses and 20 needed special lenses to correct termed refraction errors.
The first 13 reading spectacles were given to the respective Toshaos, but the remaining 20 required special detailing and as such they are only now ready.
The Minister said that two Toshaos, Norma Thomas of Kamarang, Region Seven, and Rance Allicock of Rockstone, Region Ten, require cataract surgery, which will be performed in another month at the National Ophthalmology Hospital, Port Mourant.
Dr. Ramsaran noted that Guyana’s indigenous population has benefitted significantly  from improved eye care whilst pointing out that the smallest percentage of cataracts are found amongst them. Residents of St. Cuthbert’s Mission were beneficiaries of premium eye care as a result of a visit by President Bharrat Jagdeo to the community some time ago.
The Government of Guyana, through Mission Miracle, has been able to send more than 6000 Guyanese for surgery in Cuba; however, these cataract and laser surgeries are now being performed at Port Mourant. From July 2009 to present, 26,000 patients were screened and tested at that facility and there were 165 cataract and 14 laser surgeries performed, the Minister added. (GINA)