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Tufton touts success of Jamaica-Cuba Eye Care Programme

Health and Wellness Minister Dr. Christopher Tufton
By Halshane Burke    
 
Health and Wellness Minister Dr. Christopher Tufton says thousands of surgeries have been completed since the Jamaica-Cuba Eye Care Programme resumed in August last year.
 
Dr. Tufton says the programme was renewed and restructured to improve service delivery.
 
He says 22 professionals from Cuba and Jamaica, including six ophthalmologists, two optometrists, six nurses, a biomedical engineer, a medical technologist, pharmacologist, and administrative staff are involved in the programme. 
 
"Between September last year and September this year, that team at St. Joseph's and at the Kingston Public Hospital have done 21,822 case consultations which includes retina consultation, general consultation, post-operation and reviews. They have scheduled 2,936 cases for operation or surgeries. A total of 1,847 were completed - 1,192 cataract," the minister outlined. 
 
Additionally, he said more than 1,240 diabetic retinopathy laser treatments were completed.
 
Some 773 cases had to be resheduled due to other issues with the patient, including hypertension, for which they needed treatment. 
 
Dr. Tufton, who was speaking in the House of Representatives on Tuesday, thanked the Cuban people for their support under the "new and improved" programme which has benefitted thousands of Jamaicans.
 


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