Canadian team hosting eye clinic at Kumaka Hospital

According to a press release the 15-member team including optometrists, doctors Lois Calder, Michele Leger, Janet McGugan and David White; along with opticians Bob Karir, Paul Burnham and Robert Vezina will be joined by assistants Donna Mahabir, Alia Mahabir, Tanis Eardley, Keith Gagnier, Robert Sentner, Steve Capello and Barron Meyerhoffer to conduct the clinic.

The team is expected to provide services such as complete eye exams, prescribing and dispensing spectacles and making referrals for surgery or follow-up care to Dr Narine Singh, Regional Medical Director at the health ministry. The release said the exercise is supported by CEO of the St Joseph Mercy Hospital Helen Browman, Minister of Amerindian Affairs Pauline Sukhai and Minister of Labour Manzoor Nadir.

Persons will be admitted to the clinic through a ticketing system, 900 of which have already been distributed by members of the Essequibo Lions Club and community leaders/volunteers. The team of volunteers cover all related costs for the project themselves, the release said.

The Canadian Vision Care team was founded by the late Dr Mike St James, OD, who had been visiting Guyana for 16 years under the guidance of Guyana-born Paul Mahabir and his wife Donna.