US eye care team performs eye surgeries during mission to SVG

A 29-MEMBER mission of eye specialists from the USA left St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) earlier this month after performing eye clinics and surgeries in collaboration with the Lions Club of Kingstown-SVG. This team on the May 28 to June 2 mission included optometrist, ophthalmologists, surgery techs, nurses and other professional related volunteers.

DOCTORS ASSESSING a patient (left), at the eye clinic

While in SVG, the mission successfully performed 73 eye surgeries (cataracts) and four corneal transplants at the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital (MCMH) at no cost to the patients.

Moreover, over 800 persons received free eye care screenings, as well as blood pressure and glucose monitoring at clinics which were held at the designated medical facility within the Arnos Vale Sports Complex. Follow up visits were recommended where necessary and reading and distance eye glasses provided.

An outreach programme was also conducted at the St. Benedict’s Day Nursery and Children’s Home on Wednesday, May 31, for the benefit of the residents there.

This is the 44th year of the USA Mobile Medical Mission to St. Vincent, in partnership with the Lions Club of Kingstown-SVG and the Ministry of Health. The annual collaboration has facilitated numerous ophthalmological interventions for patients over the years. Additionally, the medical team has made several tangible donations including eye glasses to patients, machinery, and medical supplies to the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital over the years. The members of the Lions Club of Kingstown- SVG have extend thanks to the individuals and businesses that provided food, water and soft drinks to the team during this period, or in any other way contributed to the success of the mission.