In continued efforts to provide eye care services to citizens, closer to their communities, the Health Ministry’s Regional Health Services Department took its services to Leguan and Wakenaam, Region Three, and Suddie, Region Two. Previous outreaches were also executed at the Buxton health centre and Enmore Poly Clinic, Region Four, and Ithaca, Region Five.
These activities are in tandem with the ministry’s thrust to improve access to eye care services throughout the country by taking services into the community instead of residents approaching health facilities for treatment.
The outreaches in Regions Two and Three were executed on March 9, 10 and 11, respectively.
At the Leguan outreach, 30 persons were seen, one of whom was diagnosed with cataract and 22 required prescription and reading glasses. At Wakenaam, 74 persons accessed the service. Six were diagnosed with cataract, five with pterygium, one required corrective surgery to lens, and 40 required prescription and reading glasses.
While in Suddie, the medical team was able to meet 116 persons, 30 of whom were diagnosed with cataract, and 12 with pterygium, while 48 required prescription and reading glasses.
Those requiring surgery will be catered for by the Health Ministry which will also transport the patients to and from the Ophthalmology hospital, Berbice, free of cost.
Thus far, these outreaches have been a success and are expected to continuously expand throughout the country to accommodate various communities. Additionally, since the commissioning of the National Ophthalmology Hospital in Port Mourant, Region Six, there has been a recorded decline in eye cases, particularly cataract.
The hospital was established following government’s recognition that there was a need for eye care services by citizens, many of whom travelled overseas to access same.
The availability of such a facility in Guyana has proven to be convenient, since all Guyanese, irrespective of ethnicity or economic standing, are now able to access services, free of cost. The facility has also opened its doors to accommodate persons from Guyana’s South American and Caribbean neighbours.(GINA)