With a number of local patients in need of vitreoretinal surgery, Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh has revealed that his ministry is currently in the process of recruiting Cuban medical specialists to perform these surgeries within the public health system.
Deyalsingh made the announcement in the House of Representatives on Friday, in response to a question from Fyzabad MP Dr Lackram Bodoe.
He said vitreoretinal surgery, which is a procedure performed in the part of the eye where the vitreous and retina are located, is currently not done in the public health facilities. The surgery aims to restore, preserve and improve vision in a wide range of conditions.
Deyalsingh said there are 128 patients awaiting these procedures at the ophthalmology clinics of the San Fernando General Hospital. Of this number, 23 patients need urgent attention and will be referred to the private health system.
He said: “We are seeking to recruit specialists from Cuba to come into the public health system to do the surgeries which will alleviate the need for them (patients) having to go to the private sector.”
Deyalsingh was in Cuba a few months ago and revealed that correspondence on the recruitment of these specialists was sent to Cuba last week. He is also hoping to attract other medical specialists from Cuba.
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