THE Lions Club of Bartica and Kemptville Lions Club collaborated and hosted a vision care project, in several villages in Upper Mazaruni, Region Seven.

The project saw nearly 700 residents from Phillipai, Wax Creek, Chinoweing, Paruima, Imbaimadai, Jawala, Quebanang, Kako, Waramadong, Kamarang and others, who were transported to and from their respective locations, on different days, to attend the eye clinic which was held at the Kamarang Hospital.

The services offered were free eye testing and screening, facilitated by doctors, opticians and Lions members, and supported by the doctors and staff of the Kamarang Hospital. They also received pertinent advice, in terms of caring for their eyes. Residents who required spectacles received same.

One of the founder members of the Bartica Lions Club, Gordon Bradford, told the Guyana Chronicle that the activity was the third project of its kind, embarked upon by the clubs.
Bradford added that the idea of taking the project to the Upper Mazaruni this year was due to the fact that the people of the villages had no access to vision care, because of their geographic location, and the unavailability of an optic centre close to them.

“The project came as good idea to us, to take it to Mazaruni, because of the difficulty of persons accessing eye care there. Due to the cost factor of travelling to receive eye care and paying for glasses, 90 per cent of the population there is lacking vision care,” Bradford said.

And he (Bradford), who is also the Regional Chairman of the said region, said that he saw the obligation of the regional administration to support the initiative, since it was also within its capacity to have services, such as eye care, provided for the people.
Bradford further pointed out that the region had employed an optician who was stationed at the Bartica Hospital. This new resource personnel, Bradford said, will frequently visit the previously ‘underserved areas’.

Deeming the project a ‘grand success’, Bradford said that it was a great team effort, and the people of the Upper Mazaruni villages were very happy, as was reflected in the number of persons who came out.

“The region supplied the fuel, the village council of various villages provided the boats and engines, and Vision Care of Canada prepared the spectacles that were given to the people. It was a great and successful collaborative effort, and we hope to stretch it out to another region, probably Region Eight, which is our sister region,” he disclosed.

Giving special thanks to all who rendered their support in making the project a success, Bradford gave credit to Alvern Mackenzie, Regional Health Officer; regional executive officer, regional education officer, assistant regional executive officer, the doctors and staff of the Kamarang Hospital, just to mention a few.