Cuban Ophthalmologist Dr. Iris Montes de Oca conducts a test on a patient

Minister Baptiste conducts the reading chart exercise

The Cuba/Antigua Free Eye Care Programme made a stop in the St. Mary South Constituency on Wednesday where approximately 145 persons were screened for eye diseases.

The screening process is part of the recently formed relationship between Antigua/Barbuda and the Cuban Government, where persons who are in need of corrective eye surgery are transported to Cuba for the surgery, free of cost.

Wednesday's eyes testing were spearheaded by the Parliamentary Representative for St. Mary's South Constituency, the Hon. Hilson Baptiste.

"This is a wonderful opportunity for persons who need eye surgery and cannot afford the cost." He added that "Residents of this country never had such a blessed opportunity and encouraged everyone to make good use of the opportunity."

Cuban Coordinator, Dr. Geovando Martinez, said he's pleased with the turn out and reported that several persons have been offered the opportunity to have surgery.

"Some 145 persons were tested by our doctors on Wednesday and twenty (20) persons were identified for surgery." Dr. Martinez reported that 10 will travel on Thursday for Cuba.

Meantime, the first group of patients who traveled to Cuba for their surgery returned to the island on Thursday. Later in the afternoon, at around 4:00 PM the second group comprising of nearly 40 persons will depart for Cuba on a chartered flight.

For further Information contact:

Collin B. Jno-Finn
Communications Officer
Ministry of Housing, Culture & Social Transformation
Dickenson Bay Street
St. John's, Antigua
Tel. (268) 562-5698/771-4006