One of the most outstanding features of a developing country is the ability of the populace to have access to basic health care.
This feature was evident Saturday when about 70 residents from Christianburg and surrounding communities in Region Ten had the opportunity to be screened for eye conditions. The exercise, which commenced at 08:30hrs at the Christianburg Health Centre, was headed by Nandkishore Persaud, Coordinator, Guyana/Cuba Cooperation and Health Matters. The screening team was headed by Dr Gustavo Vasquez of the National Ophthalmology Hospital, Berbice.
The patients were informed of the services of the hospital at Port Mourant. The state-of-the-art Ophthalmology Hospital evolved following an agreement between Cuba and Guyana in 2006. One year after, the facility was built with the capacity to conduct 10,000 surgeries annually.
Minister within the Ministry of Health, Dr. Bheri Ramsaran, said that the screening outreach was successful and that four persons were diagnosed with cataract. Forty- seven others will require spectacles and these will be provided through the Low Vision Centre located in the compound of the Georgetown Hospital. The spectacles will
be sent to the Linden Hospital for distribution to the patients.
Dr Ramsaran noted that the outreach could have had a higher level of success had the local authorities in Region 10 done more to alert residents to the exercise.
Patients who require surgery will be sent to the Ophthalmology Hospital after completing a successful general medical examination.
Persons, apart from having their eyes screened, took full advantage of the other services offered, including hypertension and diabetes testing.
William Thomson, a resident who had his eyes screened, told the Government Information Agency that he is thankful to the Government and the medical team for providing a priceless service to the people of Linden right at their door step.            
Similar views were echoed by other residents.
This exercise will be duplicated in other Regions in coming weeks. (GINA)