Minister of Health supports eyes glasses collection drive

(Labour Secretariat) - Minister of Health, Social Services, Community Development, Culture and Gender Affairs, Hon. Marcella Liburd has congratulated and commended the Lions Club of Basseterre for its unswerving commitment to service to humanity here in the Federation and worldwide.
 
Last Saturday afternoon (20th February), the Lions Club of Basseterre kicked off its eyeglasses collection drive, where Liburd made her first public appearance, since her appointment as the Federation's Minister of Health and gave the feature address.
 
The event - held under auspices of the Governor General, His Excellency Dr. Sir Cuthbert Sebastian- was conducted at the Wesley Methodist Church located on Seaton Street, Basseterre, St.Kitts.
 
“You have identified certain niche areas for attention and having done so, you have continued to support our national health system. This spirit of voluntarism, this giving of your time and energy is inspiring to those of us who have been elected for the good that we can do,” Liburd stated.
 
The Health Minister continued: “I’m particularly struck by the fact that this project is a global one. You are collecting eyeglasses locally to be recycled and use anywhere in the world. It is heart warming to note our small country’s engagement in these global efforts. Our small size is not a limitation to our commitment and interconnectedness and to global solidarity.”
 
The Health Minister said she is well aware that some people might not accept the club’s offers of help.
 
“There are those who refuse eyeglasses because they are not the latest brand name. My ministry has to deal with these attitudes everyday. It is truly amazing that a parent will refuse a well-needed pair of eyeglasses for his or her child because they are not stylish or in fashion. Indeed, too many parents willing pay the high price to keep up appearances,” she outlined.
 
She called on the Lions Club of Basseterre to work with the Ministry of Health in order "to conquer false pride and unrealistic expectations through sound education and  a policy that graduates our people from welfare to work."
 
Liburd gave the assurance that no child in this Federation shall suffer for want of eyeglasses.
 
“The ministry commits itself to do all in its power to ensure that no child is left behind in this regard .I challenge you to continue your innovative programs in partnership with the ministry of health. We look forward for the way to eye care. The government cannot do it alone. Good health care means partnership between state and civil society,” she said.
 
Chief-of-Staff at the Joseph N. France General Hospital, Dr. Cameron Wilkinson said the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 153 million people worldwide have uncorrected vision, that is, near sightedness, far sightedness and the stigmatism that can easily be corrected with glasses.
 
He outlined that of that 153 million, 90 per cent or about 113 million live in the most economically depressed areas in Africa, Asia and Latin America, adding that in these countries people could hardly afford to food on the table to feed their families and that the cost pf purchasing an eyeglasses is prohibitive and many times considered a luxury that could be ignored.
 
Dr. Wilkinson stated “Good eyesight is crucial to ensure that children develop both academically and socially. A child’s eyesight is used for around eighty per cent of a child’s learning. Children who cannot see clearly will not be able to learn as well as children with good eyesight. Poor vision will therefore have a negative impact on all aspects of a child’s development."
 
"Some may even go on to develop low self esteem and depression," he added.
 
Dr. Wilkinosn advised, “If a child is struggling in school, it is important therefore that teachers parents or guardians consider him or her vision.
 
According to him, poor eyesight can also compromise sporting performance, as vision and hand-eye coordination are key to any sporting activity.
 
The Lions Club of Basseterre joins its forty-five thousand member clubs worldwide in the organization's 'recycle for sight' efforts to donate to persons in need of the corrected vision eye wear, locally regionally and internationally.