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| St. Kitts-Nevis Information Service |
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| Dr. Vincent Audain of Dalhousie Graduating Class of 1969 | Basseterre, St. Kitts (May 12, 2004): Alcon Ltd. in collaboration with the Dalhousie University graduating class of 1969 presented medication and new equipment to the RAMS Ophthalmic Unit at the Joseph N. France General Hospital.
Dr. Vincent Audain of the Dalhousie graduating class of 1969 told the St. Kitts and Nevis Information Service that the donations were handed over during the 35th Anniversary Celebrations of the class which took place last week.
He said that Alcon Ltd. and its parent company Alcon Intl. assisted with the establishment of the Ophthalmic Unit and have made contributions over the past 10 years. Dr. Keith Gordon of Alcon Ltd. made the presentation to Minister of Health and Environment Honourable Earl Asim Martin.
A modern glaucoma testing piece of equipment was also presented for use in the ophthalmic unit.
The instrument, called a pachymoter is a widely used, up-to-date, piece of medical equipment that can diagnose and follow the course of glaucoma.
Dr. Audain added that the equipment was especially useful to St. Kitts and Nevis where there is a mostly black population, since it is scientifically proven that glaucoma is four times more prevalent in blacks than whites and the Caribbean rate increased to 10 times as high.
He also encouraged residents to take note of the risk factors of glaucoma which includes incidents in families, high prevalence among blacks, advanced age and diabetes. Such persons were encouraged to regularly check their eyes for the disease.
In addition to the presentations, other 35th Anniversary activities of the Dalhousie Graduating Class of 1969 included a Two-day Continuing Medical Education Symposium for health care professionals in St. Kitts and Nevis. There was a also trip to Nevis including an island tour, an island tour of St. Kitts, several receptions and a banquet at the Ocean Terrace Inn.
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