The waiting lists for eye surgery at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) will soon be substantially reduced when three Eye Theatres become fully functional.

Minister of Health, John Boyce, explained that at present one of the theatres was fully operational and the other two would be completed by the end of the financial year.

He disclosed that last year the Eye Clinic at the QEH had been relocated to the Lion???s Eye Care Centre – a fully equipped, ultra-modern, state-of-the-art ophthalmology facility to support the various ophthalmologic interventions.

He disclosed that the suite, located on the top floor of the Lion???s Eye Care Centre, consisted of three Eye Theatres which were presently being refurbished and equipped with air conditioning cooling systems.

The Minister, who was speaking this morning at the 4th Conference on the Latest Updates in Ophthalmology Sub-specialty, at the Radisson Aquatic Resort, St. Michael, said the full operation of the three theatres would ???provide greater capacity and even attract more clients from within the Caribbean region???.

Mr. Boyce told attendees, including various medical practitioners from the region and beyond that he applauded their interest and continued quest ???to discover avenues to upgrade the level of eye care in Barbados”.

???This Conference is a commendable initiative which seeks to enhance eye care in Barbados and the wider Caribbean,??? he said.
He also disclosed that the QEH was in the planning stages of setting up an Ophthalmology Outreach Clinic at the Winston Scott Polyclinic.

However, he pointed out that the additional recruitment of appropriately trained staff would be essential for the success of this project.??Participants were also encouraged by the Minister to continue to utilise the Ophthalmology Research Conference to discover new research developments in Ophthalmology subspecialties.

???These new developments and the work of Ophthalmologists can certainly ensure an increase in the percentage of preventable or treatable blindness. I am confident that collaboration, networking and information sharing at this conference will lead to greater achievements in this field and the Barbadian public could continue to enjoy the precious gift of sight,??? Mr. Boyce stated.

This conference will focus on two of the many Ophthalmology subspecialties, namely Cataract and Cornea.

theresa.blackman@barbados.gov.bb

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