Jamaica resumed an ophthalmological care program with the support of Cuban collaborators to detect and treat patients with different eye diseases.
According to the Government Information Service, nine professionals from the largest of the Antilles currently work in the public hospital of Kingston and receive individuals suffering from pathologies such as cataracts, diabetic retinopathy and pterygium.
More than six thousand Jamaicans in recent days have gone to that hospital to determine whether or not they need to undergo surgeries to correct their eye health problems.
The remodeling of the Saint Joseph hospital is expected to be completed this month, and will host the health program with departments for consultations, surgeries and postoperative care.
The Government Information Service recalled that apart from medical services, the collaboration project with Cuba also includes the training of Jamaican ophthalmologists and assistance in equipment maintenance.
In October last year, the two Caribbean nations signed a letter of intent regarding the continued supply of a medical brigade to Kingston. Another similar document included the renewal of an agreement for an Ophthalmology Center that, over the years, facilitated greater access to high-quality and timely services.
Kingston and Havana sealed their first agreement in ophthalmology on July 28, 2009, and in January 2010 they inaugurated a clinic in that territory. Since then, Cuban professionals have offered services there.
Official data indicate that thanks to this program between 2010 and 2019, more than 35,000 patients were examined; 21,412 received surgeries; and 17,000 were prevented from going blind.
