The Cabinet of Antigua and Barbuda has approved a proposal presented by the Minister for Health, Wellness, Environment and Civil Service Affairs, the Honourable Michael Joseph, in support of the next phase of the Antigua and Barbuda Cure Blindness Project, scheduled for October 25–30, 2026
The upcoming programme will bring specialised eye-care services and surgical expertise to Antigua and Barbuda through a collaboration involving the Ministry of Health, the Trinidad Eye Hospital and the Cure Blindness Project
Cabinet was advised that the mission is intended to provide surgical expertise, medical consumables, specialised equipment and other resources required to deliver high-volume, high-quality eye-care services at no cost to patients in need
As part of the October mission, Dr. Matthew Oliva, surgeon, will volunteer his professional servicesto support the delivery of specialised eye-care procedures.
Cabinet considers the October mission another important component of the Government’s wider programme to reduce preventable and avoidable blindness and significantly expand access to specialised eye care throughout Antigua and Barbuda.
Earlier this year, Cabinet was informed that specialists from the Trinidad Eye Hospital were expected to perform more than 400 eye surgeries under the continuing collaborative programme involving the Ministry of Health, Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre and the Medical Benefits Scheme. That initiative was also expanded to provide eye examinations and screenings for approximately 10,000 primary and secondary school students, which is ongoing.
The Cure Blindness initiative forms part of an increasingly comprehensive national eye-health programme that combines screening, corrective eyeglasses, surgical interventions, specialist training and community-based eye-care services.
In March, Cabinet was updated on the development of the country’s “Blind Free Zone” initiative, established through collaboration with international partners. The programme includes the development of community-based eye-care centres and specialised training for Antiguan and Barbudan nurses at the Aravind Eye Hospital in India. Government reported that approximately US$90,000 in specialised ophthalmic equipment had already been secured to support the programme.
The Government has also partnered with Cure Blindness Project, RestoringVision and VisionSpring under the Prime Ministerial Vision Initiative.
In March, Antigua and Barbuda secured 25,000 near-vision eyeglassesthrough RestoringVision for distribution as part of the effort to address correctable vision impairment. This initiative is also ongoing.
The Prime Ministerial Vision Initiative was formally launched in July, with Cure Blindness Project identifying Antigua and Barbuda’s programme as an effort to establish the first Blindness-Free Zone in the Caribbean.
Cabinet has also previously supported efforts to introduce more advanced ophthalmological procedures locally, including plans for free corneal replacement surgeries and other complex eye surgeries through international partnerships.
Cabinet welcomed the fact that the October 25–30 Cure Blindness mission will make specialised services available without cost to patients, noting that access to treatment should not be determined by an individual’s ability to pay.
The Cabinet commended Minister Joseph, the Ministry of Health, the Trinidad Eye Hospital, Cure Blindness Project and the medical professionals and international partners who continue to contribute expertise, equipment, training and other resources to Antigua and Barbuda’s expanding eye-health programme.
Cabinet noted that the programme is moving the country beyond periodic treatment of eye disease towards a more comprehensive national system focused on early detection, prevention, treatment, sight-restoring surgery and the development of sustainable local expertise.
The Government reaffirmed its commitment to working with its local, regional and international partners toward the goal of significantly reducing preventable blindness and ensuring that citizens and residents throughout Antigua and Barbuda have greater access to high-quality eye care.
This article was originally published by Antigua News Room. Read the original article here: Cabinet Approves Support for Cure Blindness Project Eye-Care Mission in October.