CHIEF Medical Officer (CMO) Dr. Narine Singh has sounded a call for increased attention to eye health, noting that conditions such as uncorrected refractive errors, cataracts, and diabetic eye diseases continue to be leading causes of visual impairment in Guyana.

Dr. Singh was at the time addressing attendees at the relaunch of the Courts Optical Store on Main Street, Georgetown. He used the opportunity to reaffirm the Government of Guyana’s commitment to improving national healthcare delivery, particularly in the area of vision care.

“Eye health is something that is often overlooked,” Dr. Singh emphasized, “but it is critical to our well-being and productivity as a society.”

He highlighted the Ministry of Health’s ongoing efforts through the National Eye Health Programme, which he said has made significant progress in recent years. The programme, he noted, takes a multifaceted approach involving public funding, voucher systems, school screenings, rural outreach, and the upgrading of clinical services.

Dr. Singh revealed that billions of dollars have been invested to support eye care services, targeting children, seniors, diabetics, and rural populations. Outreach efforts to remote areas such as Regions One, Seven, Eight, and Nine have brought mobile vision testing units and vouchers for examinations and spectacles to more than 70,000 beneficiaries so far.
Additionally, free school screenings have been reintroduced and expanded. Between 2023 and 2024, over 36,000 nursery and primary school students were screened for vision issues as part of the Comprehensive Child and Youth Health Programme. Beginning this year, screenings have been extended to secondary schools, now encompassing dental and hearing checks alongside vision examinations.

SPECIAL FOCUS ON DIABETIC RETINOPATHY
Dr. Singh also drew attention to the expanded availability of diabetic retinal examinations, with services now offered at around 82 health facilities across Guyana. Facilities such as the Lusignan Diabetic Centre provide free retinal imaging and treatment to reduce the risk of blindness associated with diabetic retinopathy.
He pointed to ongoing efforts to train more optometrists and ophthalmologists, especially for deployment to hinterland and underserved regions. The Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) and regional hospitals have also scaled up services to include cataract surgeries, diabetic retinopathy screening, and glaucoma management.
The Ministry is collaborating with regional and international partners to introduce advanced eye care solutions in Guyana, including corneal transplants and laser treatments for diabetic eye disease. These partnerships aim to further strengthen the country’s capacity for modern ophthalmic care.

PRIVATE SECTOR ROLE IN PUBLIC HEALTH
Dr. Singh welcomed the relaunch of the Courts Optical Store as an important step in bridging the gap between public healthcare and private sector support.
“Today’s relaunch is not just welcomed—it is essential,” he declared. “The goal is simple but ambitious: to eliminate avoidable blindness and ensure that every citizen—regardless of income or geography—can access quality eye care.”
He commended Courts for offering affordable vision care and quality eyewear, aligning with the Ministry’s broader mission to make healthcare accessible, affordable, and equitable for all Guyanese.