St Vincent & the Grenadines to assist Cuba and Haiti

by Kenton Chance
Caribbean Net News Correspondent

Monday, July 18, 2005

KINGSTOWN, St Vincent: Cuba and Haiti will receive US$50,000 each from the government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines to assist with their recovery from damage sustained during the passage of Hurricane Dennis.

SVG’s Prime Minister Dr. Gonsalves said the assistance will go directly to non-governmental organisation in Haiti rather than Gerard Latortue-led Haitian administration.

The Gonsalves administration in SVG does recognise the Latortue government as a legitimate one.

However, the assistance to Cuba will go to the Fidel Castro-led communist government which has given generously to SVG over the years.

Hurricane Dennis struck Cuba claiming 16 lives, destroying over 120,00 homes, 16,000 hectares of crops, at an estimated cost of US$1.4 billion. 

Cuba and Venezuela are supporting St. Vincent and the Grenadines in the launching of a national Eye Care Programme.

Prime Minister, Dr. Ralph Gonsalves told the Vincentian media that the two Spanish-speaking countries will finance the initiative.

Cuban medical professionals are expected to arrive in SVG soon and the service is expected to be an itinerant one that will be dispenses through and at the various public health- care centres throughout the country. 

Full acuity/visual tests and ophthalmic examinations will be conducted. 

Those diagnosed as being in need of corrective surgery can expect to be referred to specialist hospitals in Cuba.

Visual deficiencies are prevalent in SVG and rank behind (only) chronic diseases (diabetes, hypertension) and dental defects as major recurring health problems in the country.

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