Why Antigua-Barbuda Needs primary Eye Care Services at District and Community Levels

 

CARIBBEAN COUNCIL FOR THE BLIND & VISUALLY IMPAIRED

 

“Celebrating more than 56 years of service to the Caribbean – 1967-2024”

 

Advancing WHA resolution A73.4, WHA A74/9Add.3 and UN Resolution A/75/L.108

 

Vision for Everyone – AntiguaProgram

 

1. What are Antigua-Barbuda’s International Obligations to Vision for Everyone:

 

 

1.1 In 2021, the General Assembly, passed UN Resolution A/75/L.108 “Vision for Everyone accelerating action to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals” This resolution was drafted by: Antigua-Barbuda, Bangladesh and Ireland and adopted unanimously by all 193 members.

 

1.2  In 2020, The World Health Assembly adopted WHA resolution A73.4 Integrated people-

 

centred eye care including preventable vision impairment and blindness.

 

 

1.3 In 2021, The WHA enhanced the eye health metric by adopting resolution A74/9Add.3 Integrated people centred eyecare including preventable vision impairment and blindness.

 

1.4 WHA A74/9Add.3 mandated the following targets, for effective coverage of refractive errors and cataract surgery, to be achieved by 2030:

 

1.4.1 Provision of Prescription Eye Glasses:

 

A 40 percentage point increase in effective coverage of refractive error by 2030:

 

• Countries with a baseline effective coverage rate of 60% or higher should strive for universal coverage.

 

• Countries should aim to achieve an equal increase in effective coverage of near and distance refractive error in all relevant population subgroups, independent of baseline estimates.

 

1.4.2Cataract Surgery

 

The recommended global target for effective coverage of cataract surgery is:

 

• A 30-percentage point increase in effective coverage of cataract surgery by 2030:

 

• Countries with a baseline effective coverage rate of 70% or higher should strive for universal coverage

 

• Countries should aim to achieve an equal increase in effective coverage of cataract surgery in all relevant population subgroups, independent of baseline estimates.

 

1.4.3 Achievement of the objectives require  a strong primary eyecare program in Antigua-Barbuda.

 

1.5 In September 2023, CCB’s AGM adopted Caribbean Vision for Everyone as the brand to be used in advancing the objectives set out in WHA A74/9Add.3..

 

 

 

2. Why Antigua-Barbuda Needs primary Eye Care Services at District and Community Levels?

 

2.1 The 2011 Census found 7,262 persons, More than 10% of adults blind in 1 or both eyes.

 

2.2 Eight of 10 people needing eye care, are older; Requiring treatment closer to where they live.

 

2.3 The finding let to:

 

 

2.3.1 Establishment of eye clinics at: Claire Hall, Greys Farm and Johnsons Point.

 

 

2.3.2Implementation of the Public Sector Eye Care Program and

 

 

2.3.3 Implementation of the Barbuda Eye Service, as an itinerant program.

 

 

3. With the closure of eye clinics at: Claire Hall, Gray’s Farm and Johnsons Point, more than 15,000 eye patients must seek eye health services elsewhere.

 

Operating the largest eye clinic in the Eastern Caribbean, located on the Holberton Campus, CCB will use its National Vision Centre to help alleviate the problem. The clinic includes: airconditioned waiting for up to 45; 6 examination lanes and a 2-lane eyeglass laboratory.

 

Arvel Grant C-Sw, BSc-SW, DPA, MPH

 

 

Public Health and International Development Specialist

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