More than 850 persons who underwent eye surgery in Cuba have benefited from the spectacles laboratory established at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).

According to a Government Information Agency (GINA) press release the spectacles are manufactured in Cuba and are given to the patients who access follow-up care at the GPHC. Donna Welcome, co-ordinator of the programme, said about 900 patients are still to receive spectacles. Through collaboration between the ministries of health and human services spectacles are provided free of cost to senior citizens and school children.

The release said that Welcome is a member of the Miracle Mission team that visits the hinterland communities and coastland areas to treat those with eye ailments. Cases that require surgery are referred to Cuba through the Mission.

GINA said since the programme started in July 2005 more than 21,000 Guyanese have benefited; while 3000 cases were referred to Cuba for surgery for cataract, glaucoma, pterygium and other eye-related illnesses. The programme intensified last February after President Bharrat Jagdeo, during a state visit to Cuba, signed an agreement with President Fidel Castro to expand the Cuban medical brigade in Guyana. This agreement also saw the establishment of new health infrastructure and medical and other scholarships for Guyanese in Cuba.