In a press release the group said the four-day programme provided complete eye examinations by optometrists and opticians and dispensed spectacles. Prescriptions that could not be filled locally were taken back to Canada and will be delivered to the patients as soon as possible.
Project Coordinator Paul Mahabir said the team treated over 750 persons from several villages in the Moruca area and 640 eyeglasses were dispensed of which 15 will have to be made in Canada and sent back to Guyana for delivery.
Additionally, 50 patients were referred to Dr Narine Singh, Regional Health Director at the Ministry of Health, for further care for cataracts, glaucoma and pterygium surgery.
The team was touched by the many expressions of gratitude and blessings patients bestowed upon them for assisting them. They were also touched by the patients many shared stories about their journey to the clinic. In many cases the trek was made much more difficult because of the low water levels.
Many persons had been forced to walk through the bush as the water levels were too low for canoes or boats. In one instance an elderly couple in their late 60s walked almost nine miles to seek treatment.
Patients were also grateful that the clinic had been held in their region which drastically reduced the costs to seek treatment. After receiving a pair of spectacles one patient said it “is like winning the lottery”.
“We came home to Canada with many wonderful memories from the project and many members already want to return to Guyana,” Mahabir said.
According to the release, the success of the programme was due to the support from several individuals and businesses that provided both financial and logistical help. The team is grateful to the Essequibo Coast Lions Club, Helen Browman, CEO St Joseph’s Mercy Hospital – New Light – New Sight Program, Dr Singh and Amerindian Affairs Minister Pauline Sukhai and her ministry.
Special thanks were also extended to Shabir Hussain of Banks DIH for providing transportation for the team, Labour Minister Manzoor Nadir and his assistant Joe and several other persons including Mary Zola De Souza, Cassandra Rodrigues, Audrey Atkinson, Marco De Souza, Stavros Stanley and Peanut of Peanut Boat Service who assisted the Essequibo Lions Club in executing this project.
