Kingston, 7 February , 2024 - Ambassador of Cuba to Jamaica, Fermín Quiñones Sánchez, accompanied the Honourable Christopher Tufton, Jamaica's Minister of Health and Wellness, on a visit to the headquarters of the Cuba-Jamaica Eye Care Programme at Saint Joseph's Hospital in the capital.
During the tour they were accompanied by Dr. Mayra Chaveco, head of the team of Cuban specialists and technicians, who provided detailed information on the results of the programme since its resumption in September 2023, after several months of interruption due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Minister Tufton thanked the government and people of Cuba and praised the programme, highlighting the successful surgeries performed on 368 cataract and 160 pterygium patients, as well as the laser treatment of 702 cases of diabetic retinopathy in a short period of time. The minister also recognised the Cuban medical team for their unwavering commitment and exceptional patient care.
For his part, the Cuban Ambassador highlighted this programme as a testament to the strong bond and spirit of collaboration between Jamaica and Cuba. He highlighted the warm welcome the Cuban doctors have received and predicted that many more Jamaicans will benefit from the programme in the coming year.
This initiative is part of a broader agreement between the two nations, established in 2009, to provide comprehensive eye care services to the Jamaican population. Since its inception, more than 35,000 patients have been examined, 21,412 surgeries have been performed and 17,000 people have been blindness prevented, demonstrating the profound impact of Cuban-Jamaican cooperation in this area.
This programme, known in Cuba and other countries in the region as Operation Miracle, is a moving example of international cooperation and medical excellence, has been a beacon of light for many, marking a significant milestone with 1,230 Jamaicans regaining their sight in the last year and is a shining example of what can be achieved when nations come together for the common good, offering not only medical treatment, but a renewed sense of hope and vision for the future.