First batch of Miracle Mission patients treated

Vincentians continue to benefit from the Miracle Mission Programme, a fruitful partnership between this country and Venezuela, which is focused on reducing the burden of eye related health complaints.

Presently, numerous persons from across the island are benefitting from surgical interventions at the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital, aimed at the removal of cataracts and pterygiums (fleshy growths) from their eyes.{{more}}

These surgeries are scheduled to continue every day at the hospital for the rest of the month of July. This is necessary to meet the needs of those persons who were identified earlier this year by the Miracle Mission team as requiring corrective eye surgeries.

Additionally, the first batch of 14 persons recently travelled to Venezuela for a period of two weeks for surgical interventions on their eyes. Nurse Arianna Taylor Israel, a health care professional from the Ministry of Health, Wellness and the Environment (MOHWE), accompanied the group that journeyed to Venezuela.

Minister of Health, Wellness and the Environment Clayton Burgin, Chargé d’Affaires of the Venezuelan embassy Dallianna Guanipa, Permanent Secretary within the Ministry of Health Luis De Shong and Chief Medical Officer Dr Simone Keizer-Beache are all pleased with the progress being made here at home and abroad.

They are particularly appreciative of this partnership with Venezuela that is helping to improve and restore the vision of these Vincentians and thus improve their quality of life. The MOHWE is also cognizant of the fact that this partnership has facilitated the reduction of the long waiting lists for these surgeries and allows for more than 250 Vincentians to receive this care at no direct cost to them.