The Rotary Clubs of Grenada 2014 Vision Project aims to provide eye screenings, glass and surgery to the poor and vulnerable visually impaired members of our society.
Ophthalmologist Dr Heath Ergas, is part of the VOSH team (Volunteer Optometric Services to Humanity), dedicated to eliminating preventable blindness and providing vision care and support access to eye care for those who cannot afford. The Vision Project has seen 5 activities for the year – eye care clinics in March/April, donations of glasses and eye drops to the ministry of health in May, and eye surgeries and donations of supplies in June. In all, the project is valued at just under EC$3 million in terms of consultations, glasses, surgeries, drops etc.
In June, over a 5-day period, the team provided screenings to 1400 persons, surgery to 20 persons and distributed scores of reading and sunglasses. On Monday 16 June, the team performed 66 laser treatments on patients with glaucoma, which will stablise the pressure in the eye for 10 years, preventing any further degeneration of sight from glaucoma. The team performed 10 cataract surgeries, over the next 2 days.
Yesterday afternoon at the Flamboyant Hotel, the Rotary Clubs contributed to the Eyeglasses Project of the Lions Club of Saint George’s, presenting hundreds of pairs of donated eyeglasses to Lion Dr Franklin Mgbemere. On hand to receive supplies for the treatment of cataracts and glaucoma was Ann David-Antoine, advisor to the minister for health, with responsibility for donations.
Leslie Ramdhanny, President Rotary Club of Grenada East said of this year’s project, “This has been very successful. Since 2001, to date the service has provided care to an average of 1000 a year, through a series of 4 day clinics. This year there was need for a 5 day clinic, and the majority of beneficiaries are the elderly, who those who cannot afford to pay the costs associated with glaucoma surgery. VOSH and their equipment give visually impaired members of our society, the gift of sight.”
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