Around 5,000 awaiting cataract surgery in T&T

(Trinidad Guardian) Approximately 5,000 people have been waiting for cataract surgeries for the past three years. That list, however, has been growing said Health Minister Dr Fuad Khan on Thursday.

“If you have to get a clinic appointment you would get one that is in 2015 or 2016,” Khan added. He was speaking to members of the media after the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding for ophthalmology training at the San Fernando General Hospital and the University of Utah at the ministry’s office at Park Street, Port-of-Spain.

The MOU would establish a institutional partnership for the ongoing training and transfer of knowledge on corneal transplantation, small incision cataract surgery and macular retina and paediatric ophthalmology.

The Health Minister said he was trying to implement a system to ease the backlog of surgeries.

He added: “I’ve put a system in place that anybody who has this surgery earmarked for after June 2012…you just come to the ministry on the website and there is a form you fill out. “We will then send you to different suppliers who are giving us a reasonable rate for cataract surgery.”

The cost ranged between $5,000 and $6,500 depending on the type of surgery. On the issue of resources the Health Minister said there was a problem with the procurement of lenses to perform cataract surgeries.