Basseterre, St. Kitts (August 15, 2005): Residents around the Federation have been cueing up to receive free eye examinations from Cuban Doctors working under the Miracle Mission initiative.
Miracle Mission is a collaborative venture between the governments of St. Kitts and Nevis, Cuba and Venezuela. Upon the identification of an eye condition, the patient is provided airfare to and from Cuba as well as accommodation while receiving free surgical and medical attention. Eye diseases being catered for include cataract (cloudy lens), ptotis (eyelid droop), strabismus (cross eye), pterygium (flesh growth), myopia (short sightedness) and diabetic retinopathy.
The initiative came about as a result of discussions between Prime Minister Honourable Dr. Denzil Douglas and Special Cuban Envoy Dr. Altina Montalvo who visited the Federation in July this year. She said that by means of Miracle Mission 38,500 Venezuelan patients have been treated in Cuba since July 8, 2004.
Cuban Ambassador to St. Kitts and Nevis His Excellency Orlando Alvarez Alvarez said This is one of the things that can be done to integrate countries and express solidarity with the goal of better health, in this case, eye health.
During a short interview at Government Headquarters, where eye screenings took place last Friday, His Excellency Ambassador Alvarez took the opportunity to invite residents of St. Kitts and Nevis to turn out in their numbers to take advantage of the free service.
Information pertaining to the screening schedule can be obtained at the Health Promotion Unit 465-2521 ext. 1169.
